A TOURIST'S PRAISE OF THE SOUTH ISLAND

Press, Volume LXXI, Issue 21420, 12 March 1935, Page 7

A TOURIST'S PRAISE OF THE SOUTH ISLAND

TO Til* EDITO* OK THfc PKSSS. Sir,—When visiting New Zealand a few years ago I was told to spend most of my time in the North Island as I would find most of the sights worth seeing were there. For that reason I neglected Ihe South Island and saw very little of it. However, when I left England in December last I was fortunate to meet a friend who knew the South Island well, and he advised me quite differently; so for the last month I have explored the South. I have motored 1000 miles thiough bush and mountain scenery in "Westland and the region of Mount Cook. I have been amply rewarded. I think I may honestly say I have seen nothing in the world to surpass the beauty of the bush; it was a revelation and a great delight. Ihe Ftanz Josef glacier, coming down to an almost tropical bush, is surely unique. Then, there are the beautiful lakes and rivers teeming with fish. Surely, theic seems everything to attract anglers, mountaineers, and sportsmen. As in the North Island, however, there is a blot which must strike every visitor—-the great waste of timber. The gaunt skeletons of the iorest which seems to have been unnecessarily burned arc; a sad sight for a lovei of timber to see. It was good lo see )i) "The Press last week an account of Mr Mercer's activities. His flights over the glacier, etc., give added pleasure to many tourists,' and he appears to be opening up a new feature, of which many will avail themselves. Agriculture seems more successful than in the North Island, though I am told some of the land is somewhat exhausted. However, an experienced farmer told me this could be remedied by deeper tilling, and that a Canterbury man had already made arrangements to introduce a machine, the gyrotiller, which has done such good work in England and Italy. I happened to see one of these machines at work in England and was advised that the crop had been increased by its use more than 25 per cent. May I conclude by saying how delighted I have been by my stay in the South Island. I hope to return and shall certainly bear witness to it? many attractions.—Yours, etc.. JOHN HOLLIS. Hanmer Spring:-. March 10, 1935.