HERE AND THERE.

New Zealand Illustrated Sporting & Dramatic Review, Issue 1245, 26 February 1914, Page 40

HERE AND THERE.

Mr. Arthur Jaske was a passenger on his return journey to Suva by t.ie Union Company’s boat, the Marama, which sailed last week fcr the Is ands Mr. H. P. Caughey and Mr. Caughey, Junior, have booked passages for Sydney by the Riverina, which leaves Auckland on the 2nd of Marell. Mr. G. H. Buckerldge, chairman of directors of the Farmers' Co-opera-iive Association of Eltham, left Auckland last week on a pleasure trip to America and the Old Country. ..;*** Mr. Kenneth Watkins, the wellknown Auckland artist, accompanied by Mrs. Watkins, have been spending a holiday at Waikaremoana. * * * # Colonel and Mr. J. J. Twigg, tou.ists from America,, who have beien engaged on a tour of New Zea and, left Auckland last week by the steamship Marama on their return home. Mr. J. Mills, well known in Meiborarn moto.ing circles, accompanied by Mrs. M ils, arrived in Auckland by tie Riverina and motored through to Rotorua during last week. Amongst the passengers who 'Sailed frcm Auckland by the Victoria last vzeek were Messrs. H. Moxham, Dunn r.nd Short, medical delegates to the l c nt Congress. « * * Mr. G. H. Reid, of Pago Pago, Samoa, is at present touring New Zeaiird, and left Auckland last week for the well-known beauty spots of the Dominion. Dr. King, of Symonds Street, Auckland, who has been seriously ill as the resu t of an accident, has left fcr a recuperative trip to the Hot Lakes district. * # * * Dr. and Mrs. Campbell, of Onehunga, left on the 18th inst. by the Navua for a tour round the South Sea Islands before they proceed to Sydney to board the White Star liner which sails during the following month.

The Misses Van Staveren, daughters of the Wellington Rabbi, have left for Sydney, en route for England. They will join their sisters in London, and expect to be away from New Zeaand for a year. Mr. J. H. Howell, Director of the Chr.stchurch Technical College, wil. leave for America, Great Britain, and Europe by the Makura, which sails from Auckland on March 13th for Vancouver. * ❖ * * Mr. Joel Phillips, a well-known Sydney resident, accompanied by Mrs. and Miss Phillips, left Auckland last week for Rotorua. They proceed thence, via the Wanganui River, to Wellington. •I- # . * * The well-known artist of Wnangarei, Mr. T. L. Drummond, accompanied by his wife and Mr. and Mrs. R. A. Drummond and the Misses Bi - I’.ngton, left New Zealand last week by the Union Compiany’s liner to connect with the P. and O. steamer for a pleasure trip to the Old World. « ss * * The South Canterbury Acclimatisation Society has decided to recommend a shooting season of two months this year—May and June — and that the game to be shot should be grey and paradise duck,, black and and white swan, geese, and teal. In respect to deer, the society recommend that the “bag” in South Canterbury should be limited to two heads.

His Excellency Lord Liverpool lias taken Mr. Palairet’s fishing hut at the inouth of the Rakaia River, Canterbury, and intends to spend a few da>s fishing there at a suitable opportunity. * * * The Emperor of Austria, who some years ago sent eight chamois to the New Zealand Government, has now further presented one buck and two does. The animals left Fiume jus: before Christmas in the steamer Thurul for New Zealand via Sydney. “The country is wonderful, weird, and fascinating in its natural features. The Tourist Bureau is a welcome in itseif,” were the remarks of a tourist from Brisbane who called recently at the Wellington Government Tourist Bureau. * ijs * Mr. Sydney Jebb, a well-known Eng.ish angler, and Mrs. Jebb, who have been spending some time at Russell, in the Bay of Islands, were in Auckland last week and left by tiie Main Trunk for Wellington. Mr. W. L. Waylor, a visitor from jjr.g and, who booked through Cos Agency,, left Auckland last week for a trip down the Wanganui River to Wellington. He proceeds from that city to the Milford Sound track. After traversing that wonderful walk he intends to spend some time in private exploration of the Sounds district.

Mrs. Mona Harrison, a well-known Ashburton, Canterbury, resident, and Miss 0. Harrison, are at present in London. Since leaving New Zealand Mrs. and Miss Harrison have visited Palestine, Egypt, Italy, Paris, Germany, Scotland, Ireland, and the Isle of Man. Mr. and Mrs. Hamilton, visitors to New Zealand Lorn Sydney, who have been staying i n Auckland, left last week for a trip, arranged by Messrs. Cook and Sons, to the Waitomo Caves and down the Wanganui River to Wellington to catch the Ulimaroa for New South Wales. 4- * The Premier of New South Wales (Mr.. W. A. Holman),, accompanied by Mrs. Hoeman, left Auckland last week lor Wellington, and travelled via the Wanganui River. After spending a couple of days in Christchurch, . Holman and his party will leave Wellington for Sydney on February 20. $ g: $ The Huddart - Parker steamship Victoria, which sa'led from Auckland at the beginning of last week, presented a busy appearance upon de parture. Ten of the med cal visitors to the Gong.e.s were returning to Sydney by the vessel, and with 193 passengers aboard, friends and relatives, the Hobson Wharf presented a more than usual animated appearance

Mr. Roy Bagnall, member for St. George in the New South Wales State Assembly, arrived in Auckland from Sydney by the Maheno on a healthrecruiting trip. He has lately suffered from a severe illness. Mr. Bagnall is an Aucklander by birth, and is the eldest son of the late Mr. Albert Bagnall. At the elections in December, he defeated the deputy-leader of the Liberal party. * ♦ ♦ * Mr. and Mrs. Staples-Browne are at present holiday-making in Ceylon. Mrs. Staples-Browne was formerly the well-known Rotorua guide, Maggie Papakura. She remained in England when the Maori concert party failed to succeed on the stage and returned to New Zealand. S SS * * Mr., Mrs. and Miss Sheldon, with maid, tourists from New South Wales, left Auckland last week for a trip down the Wanganui River and thence to Wellington. The travellers proceed from that city to the South Island beauty spots before their return to Rotorua later in the summer. Messrs. R. and J. Sinclaire, tourists from Western Australia, who have been on a short visit to Auckland, left last week for Rotorua, and will afterwards proceed south to visit friends in Taihape and Dunedin by way of the Wanganui River and Wellington. During his recent northern journey, the Hon. H. D. Bell visited Lakes Rotorua and Taupo. Speaking from first-hand observation, he dissents from the reports wh : ch have been brought down about blindnss amongst the trout in Lake Rotorua. Many small fish are caught in Lake Rotorua, but Mr. Bell say very few “slabs” in Lake Taupo. The policy of nettmg the lakes in order to reduce the number of fish and encourage an increase in size will probably be continued until Mr. Prince, the Canadian fisheries expert, arrives in the Dominion in April next, when he may possibly recommend other measures. * * * * Mr. J. M. Leigh, of Lagmhor, Ashburton, Canterbury, and Mr. Henry Mackay, of the head office of the Public Trust, Wellington, have been on a visit to Aucklaid, and left last week on a motor tour of the Waikato and other districts. Mr. A. G. de Silva has recently taken over the Mangonui Hotel, wh’ch maintains its popularity amongst the travelling public. Most travellers doing the Far North endeavour to put in a week-end at Whangaroa whenever possible. No better host is to be found than Mr. C. Gothard, of the Masonic Hotel. With the beautiful harbour, bright weather, and the good fare at the hotel, travellers carry away pleasant recollections of their sojourn at this pretty northern seaport. * * * * A party of delegates to the Medical Congress, which consists of Doctors Lillian Cooper and Jane Greig, Doctor and Mrs. Robertson, Doctor and Mrs. Ewing, and Doctors W. T. Robertson, Harvey, Sutton, and L. H. Harvey, left Auckland after the close of the conference for Rotorua. They also intend to see Mount Cook before they return to Australia. * « ♦ * The new section of railway north of Kawakawa is to be opened right through to Kaikohe during the next two months. This will b.e a great boon to the settlers in the district, who have had to contend with bad roads during the winter months. The hotel at Kaikohe is still under the proprietors hip of Mr. H. Dickeson, and is a most comfortable place at which to put up. * * During the summer months a great number of travellers pass through Horeke to the Hokianga. The Horeke Hotel is a pleasant little place at which to break the journey, being situated right on the water’s edge. Mr. and Mrs. Queenin cater specially for the travelling public, and those who patronise this establishment will

be well pleased with their sojourn at Horeke. * * * * A bride and bridegroom were separated on the first express from Christchurch at Timaru through the train being shortened on its arrival there. The couple could not get a seat together, but a seat was found for the bride in a “bird cage” and the husband was told thp.t he could stand ouc on the platform or wait for the next train. rhe stationmaster says that he endeavoured to find seats for the couple in a first-class carriage, where there were apparently six seats with only one lady to occupy them. The lady told him that all six seats were occupied, but he found when the train left the station that three were still vacant. It is a common thing for ladies travelling first-class to monopolise a lot of space which they do not use, and it is a cause of much annoyance to other travellers. There was not nearly so much selfishness shown by second-class travellers.

Mr. G. F. Whitcombe, Railway Traffic Superintendent, who has returned from an official visit to the West Coast, has remarked on the large volume of passenger traffic which is being dealt with between Christchurch and the Coast. On one day recently there were about one hundred passengers to and from the Coast. Mr. Whitcombe expressed the opinion that it would not be long before practically all the passenger traffic to the Coasft would go via Christchurch, and when the Arthur’s Pass tunnel is completed he thought that the steamers now trading to the Coast would be discontinued. Towards the end of March or about the first or second week in April, it was anticipated that the line on the eastern side would be open to Bealey Flat, which would reduce the journey by coach to eleven miles. At Bealey Flat, which would be the eastern terminus for some time, a large station and yards were being provided, which would enable the traffic to be better handled than is at present possible at Halpin Creek. The station buildings at Bealey Flat are making good progress towards completion, and as soon as the line is opened it is understood that the present arrangements under which lunch is got at the Cass will be discontinued, and that a refreshment room will be provided at Bealey Flat.

The twenty-ninth annual meeting of the New Zealand Commercial Travellers’ and Warehousemen’s Association was held in Dunedin on January 10th. The president, Mr. D. McPherson, occupied the chair, and there was a good attendance of members. A letter was read from the Genera! Manager of Railways which stated that instructions had been given for a re-fund to be made to a commercial traveller who had been charged train fare while travelling without his season ticket. This, however, was the last occasion on which a re-fund would be authorised. In future if season ticket holders did not produce their tickets on demand the department would be compelled to enforce payment of the ordinary fare in all cases. The following officers were

elected for the ensuing year: —President, Mr. F. W. Mitchell; vice-presi-dents —Messrs. F. Peake, T. C. M. Rallingshaw, J. C. Henton, F. Bennett, E. A. De Carle, and J. T. Gillan; committee —Messrs. S. T. Mirams, J.

R. Glover, C. Ottoi, R. Harper, J. Mcindoe, R. J. Kilroy, and H. S. Cole; treasurer, Mr. James Todd; auditor, Mr. J. F. Peake.

Donald Sutherland, who has given up the duties of tourist guide in the Milford Sound country, is the “oldest identity” of the Fiordland National Park, and ought to know more about the loneliness and the privations of life in that great, wild land than any living. He has spent nearly forty years on the shores of the Sound, and for several years of that period he lived absolutely alone, seeing no living soul for months at a time. He kept himself in food with his gun and his fishing-line, and the Government steamer called in about twice a year with stores. Sutherland has been sailor and soldier in his time. He served in the Armed Constabulary in the Maori War days, and in 1876 he pitched his lonely tent at the head of Milford on the spot where his comfortable house now stands.

Except for certain delicious periods of the year, one cannot honestly praise the climate of Japan, says a recent tourist: but it has certainly divine caprices, and when the sunshine does unexpectedly come, during the chilly and moist months, the light is very splendid, and of a peculiar silvery tone, and the summer days are golden. For this the teaplant, the young bamboo-shoots, and the other sub-tropical vegetation wait patiently underneath the snows; indeed, all the sun-loving plants of the land have lurked, like the inhabitants to “wait till the clouds roll by.” Some of the most beautiful know how to defy the worst weather with a curious hardihood. You will see the camellias blossoming with -the ice thick about their roots, and the early plumblooms covered with a fail of snow which is not more white and deliaate than the petals with which it thus mingles. The landscape in Japan takes a double character from her sub-tropical latitude and her Siberian vicinity. The zones and kingdoms of the north and south meet as on a border region in the beautiful islands. You might think yourself in Mexico or India on many a July or August day, for the strong sun and the palms and bamboos. On the whole, though . a fairly healthy climate, and excellent, apparently for children, it must not be greatly praised. Autumn and spring are the best seasons. The June rains are followed by six sultry weeks, called do-yo, which prove very “muggy” and trying, and from No- 1 vember to March the cold is extreme- , ]y bitter, and the winds ofttimes, | savagely bleak. Tokio has 58.33 in , of yearly rainfall, against 24.76 at , Greenwich. Grass lawns, for all that, I do not turn green until May. By an unhappy arrangement of Nature, north ’ winds blow steadily in the winter, and , the southerly winds pretty constantly all the summer.