DUNEDIN AND ITS SURROUNDINGS.

New Zealand Tablet, Volume XVI, Issue 29, 9 November 1888, Page 11

DUNEDIN AND ITS SURROUNDINGS.

(Contributed by Plebeian.) To Melbourne is still the cry, and thither they rush, the young, the gay, the old, in one promiscuous crowd ; the exhibition, the'enp the boom, each powerfully magnetic, bat combined irresistible In point of numbers, the Mararoa's cruise this time beat the record, and one naturally wonders when this thing is to cease,- when reason is to return and exercise its sway over the destinies of this country. Amend of mine reckons that no less than a quarter of a million sterling has Jolt the Colony for the last six months, to cater for the pleasure of New Zealanders at Melbourne and Sydney. Should this esutnate be tolerably accurate, how hollow will sound the eternal wait ot depression and hard times that is peisiatently kept up. But doubtless for those not lucky enough to spare the time or the cash, or both, there is one consolation, that, after all that has been Baid and written, the country that can afford so much for pleasure, cannot be so terribly depressed. Again for those who cannot see the glare and glitter, the wealth and magnificence of Melbourne, they can, if they will, turn their attention to the natural beauties and attractions of their own lovely jana. Here we possess a variety of scenery, ranging from the placid lake to the rapid, roaring cataract; from the broad and far-extend-ing plains to the lofty, majestic mountains ; from the glacial peak of Mount Cook to the volcanic crater of Tarawera. Even for those who cannot do the Lsk°s and Sounds, and Terraces defunct, Nature in this land is so prolific, that the citizens ot nearly every town in New Zealand have within their reach sumci'nt natural beauty to gratify and delight the senses. In this respect Dun din is no exception. It may not perhaps enjoy as much sunshine as the northern ciiiep, but this very drawback is recompensed by its greater natural and more varied beauties. To its very moisture we are indebted for the beautiful and universal growth of native bush, which almost envelopes the city, and clothes the rugged sides of the surrounding suburbs and neighbouuag hills. This forms the charm if Dunedin, and makes it, undoubtedly, the most picturesque city of New Zealand. Ihosa who know Dunedin only as a busiuess centre down South in the cold and ram of Otago, can form no idea of its many beauties, more especially residents of the plains, accustomed to •' contemplating the flatness of the earth, as evidenced by the surrounding country, can only realise in dreams visions of deep glen and gurgling stream. These abotind around the city ; any road or direction, almost, one takes yields pretty views, and in glorious variety, and makes the heart ache to witness the renowned sights inland. One of the prettiest pictures near Dunedin is the cascade or falls up the Woodhaugh Valley, formed by NicholU creek, a small tributary of the Leithiiver. It is only a short distance from the roadway, and its immediate approach is right up the bed of the stream, and one has to be careful in stepping from rock to boulder to preserve your equilibrium, or wet boots will be the consequence, but for the effort you feel rewarded or rather you forget the toil in admiration of the lovely growth of fern, arrarjged in some places aa gracefully as gardener or the heart of landscape painter could desire ; and further «n. where the river has cut its way right through the rock or wide fissure of the rock, and where its steep, so, nl walls rise on either side, for all the light admitted from the top you could imagine yourself in a vastcavern. These walls are covered with the most beautiful moss, not a mere tuft here and there, but literally coverod from end to end. and from top to bottom. Emerging from this ravine, jou speedily come to the first fall, the first sight of which you obtain though tbe foliage of intervening trees, the effect is not thut produced by the the mighty Niagara, whose noise and power, and volume, fill the mind with indescribable awe, but a soothing effect like that produced by the sweet harmony of a distant muaic The fall is about sixty feet high, the water is of very small volume, but it is spread out naturally for effect, and resembles a bridal train.

A much more accessible and altogether different tight ia the city reservoir, a lovely sheet «f water embedded among the hills, and containing the city water supply. Here one can admire the undnlatmg hills which gently slope towards this calm lake. Cosily nestled among the bush are mmc uretty cottages which stand out in relief Liotn the back ground of shrub, and one wondera not that this is the favourite resort of picnic parties in the summer season. Secure from dust and mud. itenjojs the full benefit of the summer's sun, and piaiies can enjoy a thorough day's amusement and recreation.

To obtain a view of the city one has but to geton the Mornington tram, and glide noiselessly up the hill; thin just look down and stie'ching on either bide is the long irregularly extended conglomeration of buildings in which the human animal toils and sweats, and sc" ernes and frets. To the right, the Glen ; St. Clair and the Flat ;to the left, Roslyn and^the Valley ; before, the City ; and behind, Morningtoa. At any lime this is a beauulul tight, but 1 prefer it of a moonlight night, when the nairow bay appears agh'tering silver streak or banneiet and you can see the daik L'acific away over the beach, and hearclearlv and distinctly the pulse of the sea, as it beats or breaks along the shore,

It is from such scenes, clime, and country that men are now hurrjing away, (I do not mean excuisionihts) as if New Zealand were plague stricken, yet these aie only a few of the many interesting and pleasit g sights that one can at any time see in this city alone, in the course ot an hour's walk, ride or duve, which seem scarcely appreciated by those who know, and cannot be conceived by those who have not had an opportunity of witnessing Dunedin's natural beanty.