SCENIC GEMS

Gisborne Herald, Volume LXVI, Issue 20055, 29 September 1939, Page 12

SCENIC GEMS

SOUTH ISLAND VIEWS WORLD’S FINEST WALK .MR. ,). REACH'S LECTURE "Milford Sound makes one realise the ability of the Hand that has guided its forms of earth through the aeons that have passed since the planet rose from a swirling nebulae. The grandeur of height and depth, the mystery of cloud and mist, the beauty of the flora in mass effect and minute detail, all combine to make the Sounds infinitely glorious.

“There are no words with which to tel! the awful grandeur and the wondrous spectacle of Milford’s mount and sea.

"But unplumbed depths and summils riven, Record the splendour God has given.”

The above tribute recorded by an English tourist in a visiting book at Milford Sound formed the closing words of a most interesting illustrated lecture on “Scenic Charms of tire South Island” given by Mr. J. Peach in St. Andrew's Church Hall. The lecture was in aid of the mission funds of the church and aroused much interest. there being a large, attendance

The speaker detailed a tour of the South Island touching on some of the major scenic gems and illustrated his remarks with a large collection of beautifully coloured slides. He told of the journey from Wellington to the Marlborough Sounds, through the Nelson province to the West Coast, then via Otira Gorge to Christchurch, Timaru and Mount Cook, over the Crown ranges to the Great Lakes district, calling at Lakes liawea, War,aka, and Wakatipu. Other tours included in the talk were from Christchurch to Dunedin and Stewart Island, and from Dunedin to the Southland lakes and fiords, visiting Lake Manapouri, Dusky Sound, Lake Te Anau and through the Eglinton and Hollyford valleys to the Homer tunnel. “The finest walk in the world,” the tramp from Lake Te Anau to Milford. was described in detail, accompanied by many fine views of bushland scenery. In the next section of the programme motion pictures of a trip round Waikaremoana were presented. Mr. F. Wise operating the projector, and the screening was synchronised with recordings of items by the Manutuke Maori Choir. Another feature of the entertainment was the presentation of recordings made at Waikaremoana of the songs of the tui and the bellbird.

The programme was interspersed with appropriate songs by the Misses Witters, quartet. Miss Eirene Halbert. Mr. V. Caulton and Miss Joyce Witters.