HERE AND THERE.

New Zealand Illustrated Sporting & Dramatic Review, Issue 1246, 5 March 1914, Page 40

HERE AND THERE.

The Rakaia River, Canterbury’s premier torrent, of which a picture appears in this issue, rises at the foot of the third range in the Southern Alps. The beautiful and almost unknown valley, where the giant river boils out at the foot of an ancient moraine, has an awe-inspiring grandeur of gigantic crags and stupendous peaks, eternal in their snowy majesty, that only needs to be known to become a pleasure resort. In this wild region, where Samuel Butler placed the incidents of his famous satire “Erewho’u,” the mountain lilies spread their acres of blissful purity right up along the snow line, and the yellow river flats lie sweet scented in the dawn. Here the bed of the Rakaia is over a mile wide, a mile of enormous boulder-torn, storm-worn shingle-strewn ravines, hemmed in by the high peaks of the Alps, but the river gradually narrows till it forces its way through the mountain barrier in the gorge, which is a famous beauty spot of the Canterbury Plains. The river has been beautifully described by the New Zealand poet, Arthur H. Adams, in the “Bulletin”: “And deep within the dusty street My river calls to me , jjj Across a world of stagnant heat His waters make their music sweet, And I again am free! Where, cold and quiet as his snows, Lordly, impassive, on he goes Through mile-wide paths of gravel.

For my soul goes back to mingle With the music of the shingle Of old Rakaia rolling to the sea!

Herr and Madame Pechotsch left by the Riverina on the 23rd for Sydney.

Mr. Stewart DaAvson, a member of the well-known firm of that name, left Auckland by the Riverina for Sydney.

Mr. Percy Hedlam, of Lemonte, Oatlands, Tasmania, is at. present on a visit to Auckland. He is a noted breeder of Romney Marsh sheep.

Mr. and Mrs. William Cameron, of Gisborne, who have been on a visit to Auckland, left last week, for a trip round Rotorua and the Thames district.

Mr. and Miss Ryan, delegates to the Medical Congress, after a stay in Auckland, left for a trip down the Wanganui River, and intend to tour the South Island before they return home.

Mr. S. H. Covernton, of the Indian Civil Service, Marpur, Khas, Sind, who has been on a visit to Auckland, left the Northern city for a visit to

Rotorua, Waireki, and the Wanganui River.

The Huddart-Parker Company have decided to replace the Victoria on the direct run between Auckland and Sydney by the Riverina. The Victoria will take up the East Coast trade.

Mr. T. Cullen, Collector of Customs at Dunedin, returned home to that city by the Monowai. Mr. Cullen had been visiting the Northern city on holiday leave.

Mr. A. Herring, accompanied by his wife and daughter, American tourists who have been touring New Zealand, left for Sydney by the Union Company’s liner last week in continuation of their Australasian trip.

Mr. and Mrs. Vernon, accompanied by Miss Maitland, of Sydney, who have been staying in Auckland, have gone on a tour to the Hot Lakes district, whence they will travel to New Plymouth and from there proceed down to Wellington.

A visitor from Europe, Herr Justo, is at present staying at Cargen with his family. He intends to leave on a month’s tour through New Zealand to make a thorough study of the agricultural industries of the Dominion in the Waikato, Taranki, Napier, and Canterbury districts. After his return to Auckland he will tour the scenic spots of the Dominion in company with his family.

'A Mountain ,Club> has been organ- ’ ised in Stratford for the purpose of promoting. a knowledge of Mount Egmont, more particularly by means of frequent and well-organised sionsJ , r ? - * ' * * # A fresh survey is being made of the Hooker River at the site proposed for a bridge on the route to the Tasman Valley. A bridge was under construction a year ago, and was half " complete when a phenomenal flood carried everything away, and widened out the river channel so that a much longer bridge will have to be provided. * * V « Miss B. Whitelaw, of Auckland, who has been to England, is returning by the Suffolk, which left at the beginning of February. Miss Whitelaw has been staying with her sister, who is principal of the Wycombe Abbey School. The Egmont Mountain House is in considerable demand this season, and some difficulty is being experienced in complying with the numerous applications for accommodation. The principal of the Auckland Training College has applied for accommodation for from 40 to 50 teachers at the hostelry at Easter. * * * * The tourist traffic on the Wanganui River during the past month (January) was very heavy, considerable numbers making their way both up and down-stream. The Houseboat and Pipiriki House are now favourite places with many for a few days or a week stop-over. * sfs - * * The breeding season for wild game in the Clutha district appears to have been an unusually good one. Numerous clutches of young grey ducks,, teal, and swans are to be observed in the swamp land, and on the borders of Lake Tuakitoto and Kaitangata, and also on the Molyneux River banks. A very favourite breeding spot seems to be on the banks of the small creek which runs from the lakes to Kaitangata and empties into the Molyneux. A large number of doctors returned to Sydney by the Union Company’s steamer Maheno. Amongst the passengers were Doctors Atkinson, Worrall, E. W. Morris, Blackburn, Dodds, Butler, Pentland, Howard, Fooks, Cam, C. W. Hamilton, F. J. Jermin, A. J. Wood, Connor, A. W. Hirst, and MdMurray. Many of the medical delegates were also accompanied by their wives. A large number of tourists arrived in Christchurch by the Wiahine. A great number of them are from England, several from San Francisco, and two or three from South Africa. Two of the last-named, who wrote their address as Zululand, visited the Government Tourist Bureau, and one recorded in the visitors’ book that he “could die a slow death here,” an unkind cut at the monotony of the Cathedral City. • There is reason to believe that there are several people engaging in fishing in the various waters of the Ashburton County without being possessed of an angler’is license (says the local paper). Whilst there is no word of prosecutions pending, it is not unlikely that offenders caught in the act will be dealt with in the manner which the law directs. * S ® * Mr. B. M. Wilson, general manager of the Department of Tourists and Health Resorts, has gone on a visit of inspection to the new Hermitage at Mount Cook. Thence he will travel overland by way of Copland Pass to the West Coast. He intended to go to the Marina Hot Springs, and inspect them with the object of reporting on the prospects of opening them up as a new attraction for tourists- Subsequently he proceeds to Nelson and Wellington. * * * * Suspicions regarding the sporting value of the mallard ducks imported by the Auckland Acclimatisation Society have been raised by the extraordinary tameness of the liberated birds. In a letter addressed to the president of the society (Mr. W. H.

Hazard) the opinion is expressed by Dr. Lewis Hope that the mallard ; ducks introduced into New Zealand are merely decoy ducks used to catch the wild ducks. Dr. Hope states that the decoys are only about two-thirds the size of the wild bird, and he had : no doubt that those imported by the 1 society for game were actually speci-

mens of the variety domesticated by years of training for a specific purpose. * « - » Hobart is proud, not on account of its share in the Tasmania newspaper strike, but because it has a new pier, which is said to be the largest in Australasia; This pier, which has been opened for trade purposes, is 1210 ft long, 122 ft wide, and gives a depth of water of 3 6ft at the shore end, and from 45ft to 63ft at low tide at the outer 750 ft. There is railway connection by five lines. A large amount of reclamation was involved in the construction of the pier, as well as the blasting away of 16,000 tons of rock and the pumping away of 100,000 cubic yards of sland. The wharf shed is 646 feet long. Passengers will be landed from steamers on to the roof of the shed and walk overhead to reach the shore. »• * * *

A recent New Zealand tourist, the Hon. W. A. Holman, Premier of New South Wales, was charmed with the scenery of the Wanganui River. When speaking to a pressman he did not soar into flights of language about it, but he left no doubt that he meant that he has rarely, if ever, seen anything so delightful. He started down the river at Taumarunui, and left the water at Pipiriki to- strike overland for the Main Trunk railway. The I

beautiful scenery coming down stream was, he thought, wonderful. In the run across from the river to the railway he passed through some of the most glorious of landscapes, and saw the New Zealand bush in all its pristine beauty. Later, he said, he found himself ejaculating “Vandals! vandals'” for his progress ran him through country where Nature’s I m,antle had been well hewn into by j the utilitarian axe. It was, perhaps, I

merely the disappointment of the tourist, for Mr. Holman realises that the settler must often -carve his home in the heart of the forest. Regarding spots nearer Wellington, Mr. Holman holds a high opinion of some of the I towns and villages along the line, and j not many miles out of the city. The little places from 20 to 50 or so miles out from the port would satisfy him to reside in, and he does not see why anyone should wish for anything better than these places appear to offer. * * * * Many tourists who visit New Zealand do not know of the eighty named glaciers in New Zealand. The Tasman Glacier has particular prominence, be cause it is the biggest valley glacier in the world, excepting one in the Himalayas and one in Alaska. “I call it,” a distinguished traveller says, “the biggest ‘civilised’ glacier, be- ' cause it can be so easily reached — J only a matter of 24 hours’ journey i from Christchurch. Another point which distinguished New Zealand glaciers was that the glacial line was

lower than at any other point outside the Arctic or Antarctic circles. I The terminal face of the Tasman Gla- ‘ cier was 2354 feet above sea level, while on the West Coast the Fox came down to 670 feet above sea

level. It should, also be noted tha<t, with the exception of work done by Mr. T. N. Brodrick, little glacial work had ever been done in the Mount Cook district. - . , -

Fly fishing has taken a decided turn for the better at Taupo, and several large catches have been recorded, especially at Waitahanui, where the fish are numerous and in splendid condition. The medical men who had been at the conference enjoyed excellent sport. Fish up to 151 b weight have been taken this season, and as feed is abundant, it is quite probable that, as the season progresses and the fish improve in condition, as they do from now on until the end of May, some heavier weights will be landed.

To those enamoured of the sport of king-fishing, which draws votaries from all over the world to the coast of Florida, under the name of Tarponfishing, New Zealand can show fine sport. The record fish taken on the rod has been caught within striking distance of Waihi. A local sportsman was fishing in the Katikati estuary, some 18 miles from Waihi, and succeeded in landing a fish, which, when placed on standard stillyards, turned the scales at 85%1b. The fish was upwards of sft in length and 34^in in girth,, and weighed exactly 14 more than the biggest kingfish previously taken (weight 711 b- The record fish was sent on by rail to Auckland to be stuffed- Last week a fisherman of Waimana landed 21 kingfish, aggregating 2481 b in weight, off Whale Island, Whakatane. The same gentleman caught a huge kingfish, weighing 831 b, in the same locality. The monster is about sft in length and about 30in in girth. The fish is being forwarded to Rotorua to be mounted.

Many commercial travellers and others in New Zealand will be pleased to learn of the success at Home of Mr. Frank Foster, the erstwhile New Zealand commercial, who was well known to members of the Wellington Savage Club. Referring to his performance as Don Caesar in “Maritana” with the Carl Rosa Opera Com pany, one English critic says:—“We must preface reference to the cast by a word of cordial congratulation to a new Don Caesar de Bazan- Mr Frank Foster played the part for first time, and from the moment of his rolling, staggering entry amid his coughing protests he captured the house. Not only was his performance a consummate piece of character acting, his voice was rich, ringing, and full of the rollicking defiant spirit of the picturesque Don. As soon as he took up his part in the quartette, 1 See the Culprit,’ we knew we were in for a treat. In his first so’o, ‘ Farewell, My Valiant Captain!’ this pleasing impression was more than confirmed. The prison scene found h’m obliged to quell clamour ty giv'ng encores of ‘ Turn On, Old Time ’ and

“Yes, Let Me Like a Soldier Fall.” And this instant, ever-swelling triumph Mr. Foster carried through to the cheers of the finale.”

An important step has been taken in connection with the control of the Tongariro National Park, which for some time past has been under the nominal superintendent of a special board. This body was provided with hardly any revenue, and as a consequence, was able to accomplish very little in the way of development or improvement. The Hon. R. H. Rhodes states that arrangements have been made for the control of the Park to be placed under the Tourist Department, and it is intended to develop this national asset somewhat on the lines of the Fiordland Nationa Park. The details were now engaging his attention, and the necessary legislating to give effect to this decision was in course of preparation. The Park, which has been presented to the Dominion through the gener 7 osity of the Maori Chief Te Heu Heu, of Taupo, was, the Minister added, of huge extent, and contained the volcanoes of Ruapehu, Tongariro, and Ngaruahoe, and was within easy

reach of the Main Trunk railway. When the necessary funds were placed at his disposal he hoped to have the district further developed, tracks cut, and huts erected, and generally make the Park available for the use of the people of New Zealand. Very little had been done in past years to open up the Tongariroi National Park, and he intended, when he had the necessary legislative authority and funds, to see that the Park developed as quickly as possible.

A warm tribute to the charms of New Zealand was paid by the Premier of New South Wales (Hon. W. A. Holman) in his speech at the Austra lasian Medical Congress dinner. Whilst, he said, he was proud of being an Australian, he rejoiced in being able, for the second time, to visit New Zealand, the land of a lovely climate and so many other great natural attractions — the country where every prospect was pleasing and where man was doing his best to make the best of Nature’s lavish gifts. “Come and stay with us, then,” interjected the Mayor (Mr. C. J. Parr), amidst laughter. Mr. Holman put in a concluding word for his own

metropolis. “Of course,” he said, “I realise that good New Zealanders when they die go to Sydney.”

The condition of the trout in the lakes at Rotorua and Taupo is a subject that is engaging the attention of the Rotorua Rod and Gun Club. The Minister for Internal Affairs (the Hon. H. D. Bell), who was visiting Rotorua, received a deputation on the matter from the club. In all probability a definite settlement of the problem of how to bring about an improvement in the condition of the fish will be delayed, pending the arrival, early in the winter, of Mr. Prince, the Canadian Fisheries Commissioner, who is coming over to inspect- the New Zealand fisheries, and advise the Government upon them.. The method at present in vogue to eradicate or thin out diseased trout , is to bar the stream, and prevent them from going up to spawn, an-' 1 also to catch as many of the diseased fish as possible, and destroy them. The question for decision is whether this method can be improved upon, and whether a better method of providing the trout with food can bo devised.