TOWN AND COUNTRY

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume LXXXIII, Issue 19768, 16 February 1927, Page 5

TOWN AND COUNTRY

ITEMS OF INTEREST ' Speaking to a ‘ 1 Christchurch Press” ‘ reporter Dr G. Einar du Rietz, a Swedish scientist, who has published many scientific works, said that no other country in the world had such magnificent scenery as New Zealand possessed. “When I return to Sweden I intend to publish a book on the attractions your country has to offer, in the hope that it will induce some of my countrymen to look upon it.” From time to time the Main Highways Board, says the “Southland Times’’ has impressed upon those in control of highways the paramount necessity for proper maintenance, and • at its last meeting authorised the free j issue to local bodies of a bulletin on highway maintenance, which has been prepared by the engineer to the board. This pamphlet has been prepared with a view to assisting and educating those responsible for the upkeep of the highways, and the board hopes its issue will go a long way towards attaining its objective of giving better service to tho travelling public. Mr S. A. Chaffey, of Waiau, North Canterbury, a visitor to Queenstown, performed a feat in mountaineering recently. This was the ascent of the Remarkables from the north-west side, his starting point being the Kawarau Falls Station. This is almost a sheer ascent of 8000 ft., entailing a stiffer climb than is presented by any other mountain in New Zealand. Mr Chaffey returned via Lake Aita and the back of tho mountain. This is said to be the first time that anyone has made the ascent of tho Rcmarkables from tho Wakatipu side. No quinnat salmon has yet been observed from the Ashburton side of the Rangitata River at the mouth, but several reports from South Canterbury are to the effect that these fish have been noticed from the south bank (says a recent issue of the “Ashburton Guardian/’) Several prominent Ashburton anglers who visit the Rangitata frequently, stated that they thought this hardly likely, as it is yet too early in the season for the run of salmon, which will not be expected before the middle of this month. On the other hand, there has been a much better opportunity for the quinnat to be seen from the opposite bank during the past week, as the river has been much deeper on the South Canterbury side. So rapidly is the sand encroaching at the estuary at R-edcliffs and Sumner that at low tide there is at the present time only a very small channel which is negotiable by yachts and launches (reports the “Lyttelton Times/’) In the past twelve months the sand from the spit opposite Redcliffs has formed a beach of some thirty yards in width, where before there w*s deep water. The bar at low tide is only a very small channel, no more than thirty yards wide. The result of the channel becoming narrower is an alarming increase in the speed of the current down the estuary. It is rather unusual to find a house erected on a strip of land dedicated as a road, but such an instance was reported to the Waikato Council (states an exchange). It was explained that the strip of land had been deviated from to afford a more suitable stretch of road at a point in the Huntly riding. The house had been built under the impression that the land belonged to an adjacent property-holder, from whom it was to be rented. The council favoured giving every facility to the householder to have the land, which was not required for reading, brought under his control, and this will be possible after certain legal formalities are fulfilled. One of the best collection of historical Maori relics and ancient arms and implements is owned by Mr W. M. Fraser, engineer to the Whangarei Harbour Board (says an exchange). Recently the collection was increased by the addition of a well-preserved prow of a fighting canoe and a large stone which was evidently used for sharpening shell or greenstone tools upon and for wearing down surfaces. This is clearly shown by the worn depressions in the stone, which was recovered from a swamp. The canoe figurehead is minus the shell in the eyes, but the timber is well preserved, and the carving and bores through which the piece was lashed to the prow are clear and sharp. Both trophies came from the Tekahiwai district, on the shores of Whangarei harbour. While spending a holiday at Mt. Cook, Dr. J. C. Bradshaw, organist of the Christchurch Cathedral, had an unenviable experience on Elie de Beaumont, at the head of the Tasman Glacier. When about 300 ft. from the top he slipped, and all that prevented him from being hurled over a one thousand foot precipice was that he managed to get his ice axo into the snow slope. He succeeded in pulling himself up on tho ice, but only after he had three fingers on one hand cut to the bone. He began another ascent, and got to within one hundred feet of tho top, when he was stopped by an impassable I crevasse.

Reports from many parts of the Cromwell district indicate that the rabbit pest is more in hand than for some years. Of course, there may be ‘ ‘ other parts.” In conversation with some settlers, an “Argus” reporter found that opinions differed as to the means responsible for the evident reduction in the number of rabbits. One considered traps were very effective, while another gave credit to the use of strychnine, which, accounted for “old identities” which could not be caught by any other means. The splendid run of unbroken weather last winter, coupled with the high prices of skins, must also have been an assisting factor. However, it can only be hoped the pest is under control as indicated.