N.Z. Now Has Lunik And Sputnik Creeks

Press, Volume CV, Issue 30979, 8 February 1966, Page 23

N.Z. Now Has Lunik And Sputnik Creeks

(N.'Z. Press Association) WELLINGTON, Feb. 7. Outer space is now represented on the New Zealand landscape. New names like Lunik and Sputnik will now appear on maps. The names from outer space were approved as the final decision of the New Zealand Geographic Board in assigning place names gazetted last week. Lunik creek, commemorating the first Russian moon rocket, is the new name for a tributary of the Karamea river. Nelson. This river has another tributary which will be known henceforth as Sputnik creek. Classical Names Keeping other small inlets into the same river in outer space are names like Orbit creek, Perigee creek, and Satellite creek. A retreat to lhe classical names for the heavenly bodies is noticeable in other tributaries of Karamea, now to be permanently known as Saturn, Star, Thor and Venus creeks.

Although Wellington’s Mount Misery, above Khandailah now has a more euphonious appellation, Rangoon Heights, the board has not completely deserted the homlier names. Alternative Name

Lauras Leg, without the possessive apostrophe, is a “bay north-west of Chew Tobacco Point,” on Stewart Island. In the same area are

Moses Comer, Orphans Rock, Nelly Island and Little Moggy, an alternative name for Mokoiti Island. In the Southland area are names such as East and West Ruggedy beach, near Ruggedy river, Easy harbour and False Easy harbour, Gentian cove and Golden beach. Not quite so appealing are Hell’s Gates, Mudflat Island, Wreck creek, Murray’s Mistake, ThreeLegged Woodhen and Tin range, the last two a bay and a range of mountains respectively.