LAVISH GIFTS OF NATURE

Timaru Herald, Volume CXLVII, Issue 21529, 16 December 1939, Page 29 (Supplement)

LAVISH GIFTS OF NATURE

UNSURPASSED SCENIC WONDERS

by Nature with scenic attractions unsurpassed by any country in the world, New Zealand, which might well be termed a land of contrasts, has much to offer the pleasure seeker both from within and without. In what country can be seen such contrasts as a river of ice pushing past the groves of a subtropical forest, a lake where at one end trout swim in cool pellucid depths, and at the other steam rises from the seething, scalding surface of waters boiling hot, subterranean caverns lit by the wan lamps of glow-worms, and sky-piercing peaks, an active volcano thrusting its head above the surface of the sea, and another with its crater walls clothed in snow? What country possesses a range of peaks comparable with the Southern Alps, with Aorangi, the Cloud Piercer, towering majestically above vast fields of snow and ice, the playground of thousands? Within such compass and all easy of access, the Dominion can boast scenic grandeurs of unexcelled beauty.

Blessed by Nature with scenic attractions unsurpassed by any country in the world. New Zealand, which might well be termed a land of contrasts, has much to offer the pleasure seeker both from within and without. In what country can be seen such contrasts as a river of ice pushing past the groves of a sub-tropical forest, a lake where at one end trout swim in cool pellucid depths, and at the other steam rises from the seething, scalding surface of waters boiling hot, subterranean caverns lit by the wan lamps of glowworms, and sky-piercing peaks, an active volcano thrusting its head above the surface of the sea, and another with its crater walls clothed in snow? What country possesses a range of peaks comparable with the Southern Alps, with Aorangi, the Cloud Piercer, towering majestically above vast fields of snow and ice, the playground of thousands? Within such compass and all easy of access, the Dominion can boast scenic grandeurs of unexcelled beauty. In respect of mountain grandeur, the South Island can claiirr a marked superiority compared with the North Island, but this must not be taken to Infer that the mountains of the North have not a magnificence of their own; they have, and no one appreciating Nature's lavishness in this respect can claim familiarity with mountain fastnesses of New Zealand unless he has visited both Islands, and examined on the spot the lavishness with which Nature has contributed in this respect. The giant of the Southern Alps is. of course, Mount Cook, well named after the great British seaman who reached New Zealand in the middle of the eighteenth century, and was largely Instrumental in making the peoples of the world familiar with the Britain of the South. Mount Cook is the highest mountain in southern latitudes, being 12,349 feet above sea level, whilst in the same great natural rampart there are no fewer than 17 peaks over 10.000 feet which had been regarded by travellers who have visited almost all countries—North America, South America. Switzerland and India as incomparable in point of rugged grandeur —presenting a panorama of beauty to be found nowhere else. This might appear to be an extravagant claim, but those who refuse to accept the assessment may be asked to put forward any rival. In addition to Mount Cook, which is, of course, the mountain glory of South Canterbury and the Dominion, other peaks in the Southern Alps reach altitudes over 10,000 feet; Tasman. 11.475; Dampier, 11.287; Silberhorn, 10.757; Lendenfeldt, 10,450; David's Dome. 10.443; Malte Brun, 10,421; Torres. 10.376; Teichelman, 10,370; Sefton. 10,354; Haase. 10,294; Elie de Beaumont. 10.200; Douglas Peak, 10.107; La Perouse, 10,101; Haidinger, 10,059; De la Beche, 10.058; The Minarets. 10.058

all who appreciate Nature's wonders. It is the proud claim of South Canterbury to possess Mount Cook; the names of Mount Cook and New Zealand are interwoven; whenever those In distant lands have visions of New Zealand thoughts rest on Mount Cook. In the far past Mount Cook was beyond the easy reach of those with limited time at their disposal, but who were desirous of visiting that fascinating centre—a spot, as the publicists say. situated thousands of feet above worry level. It was. of course, impossible that a progressive country like New Zealand should permit such an asset to remain beyond the reach of the multitude—to waste its beauty not in the desert air of the poet, but amidst surroundings which were largely impenetrable to the multitude. Very early settlers beat their bay back into the Mackenzie Country, the gateway to the Alps. Hardy settlers from the Homeland, early penetrated to the very confines of Mount Cook; they secured pastoral rights almost under the shadow of the mountain giant; they set about the work of bringing the country into production. The hardships were many; the difficulties which stood in their way were such as might have sapped the energies of all save those endowed with limitless optimism. However, they came, they saw and they conquered. Glacial Wonders But Mount Cook is not a solitary attraction. Even were this master feature eliminated from the scene, the

Above Worry Level There are also no fewer than 31 peaks which reach an altitude of more than 9000 feet—a magnificent heritage for any land. These are but one of the .natural features which arrest the ittention and claim the admiration of

alpine region would .still claim attention. The glaciers stand out in their immensity, splendour and magnificence; In themselves they are sufficient to rivet the attention. The immensity of these, and the appeal they make have been pictured in many volumes; they have been the theme of innumerable eulogies; ward pictures of the glaciers have fascinated the peoples of many lanes. In this icy vastness one encounters large ice-fails and moraines, deep crevasses, rivers flowing from icy caverns or between walls of ice, avalanches, fields of snow, seracs of ice pinnacles—in fact here is a virgin field equal in grandeur to Switzerland and unsurpassed by anything on this side of tfre world.