AMERICAN IMPRESSIONS OF NEW ZEALAND.

Wanganui Herald, Volume XXXXVI, Issue 13361, 27 April 1911, Page 4

AMERICAN IMPRESSIONS OF NEW ZEALAND.

A party of American tourists, who started from New York on November 26th, are at present seeing the sights in New Zealand with which country they are much im 7 pressed. The viators are earnest in their expressions of gratification with regard to the treatment they have received wherever they have been, but are somewhat diffident in stating their impressions fully, because, as thev say. “it is hard to praise one place to the disparagement of another, when we have had such a glorious time everywhere.” Of New Zealand they pave nothing to say that is not by way of encomium, except, perhaps, that the attractions of these islands are not so generally known, abroad as they should be. One gentleman said to a New Zealand Herald reporter, “I do hope your Government will push on the matter of reafforestation. I come from a country where we have practically cut down our forests, and. » serious question with us now is what we are to do in the matter. I say emphatic

cully that fornvery iaae that is cut down not one, bpt five, should be planted. And you can do it here, for at Rotorua I saw trees of extremely rapid growth. I messured one that had been oat down, and found by the annular rings that its growth had been 2iin ->er annum. And at Wal> rakei 1 saw a tree which had mode llln per annum. I have never seen anything like that elsewhere, and to my mind—ana 1 am interested in a lumber msnnfscturiug affair in the States—that dwws that afforestation will really pay in this country.'' Another member of the party made a somewhat unexpected statement. H* said: “Now, I want to tell yon that we were all surprised at the excellent character of your railways. They ore in every respect far better than we expected. We found the lines particularly well constructed, with heavy rails and good rood beds. The pity is you haven’t a wider gauge; but, considering that this country is M young, I think you have worked marvels. Why, the South African railways don’t * pretend to compare with yours—they’re out of sight!” After emphasising the pleasure given them by their visit to Rotorua, and the kindly attention shown them by Guide Warwick (who was deputed to show the visitors along on “the round trip”), the gentlemen, almost in one breath, concluded with the remark: “We are only sorry the attractions of this country are not better known in our country. If we can manage it, we will tour New Zealand again. ’’