CORRESPONDENCE. ROSS CHURCH.

Hokitika Guardian, 15 April 1925, Page 4

CORRESPONDENCE.

ROSS CHURCH.

(To the Editor). Sir.—l was deeply grieved to read in a clipping, in your columns this week, that the little church at Ross was perched precariously on a hill-top prominent but inaccessible, and when reached too unsafe to enter. The Church is certainly built on a terrace overlooking tho lower portion of tlie town and commanding a' splendid view* of tlie sea right up the coast as far as the Raparoa Ranges. It is certainly not inaccessible, as cars can drive up easier than going up Cashmere Hills. As foi being unsafe to enter, if the writer oi such a statement would hide & few* sovereigns in the building and invite some of the boys to enter and help themselves, I am quite sure the buildinjjr would not bo very long “too unsale tcTeiiter.” Ross is one of the most picturesque spots on tlie whole West Coast. An ideal location for a summer residence or even a winter homo, as tlie climate is much milder in winter than Canterbury. One can sing with Grey in his Elegy: “Full many a gem of purest ray serene Tiie dark unfatliomed caves or ocean bear, Full many a flower is born to blush unseen And waste its sweetness on the desert air.” Ross at present is the railway terminus ami offers a special inducement to residents of Canterbury who desire rest and change in congenial surroundings. Town sections can lie bought at a very low figure, and Miner's Rights at 5s per year enable one to hold a resident o site of one acre on Crown Lands. Beautiful Westland is one day going to lie the playground of Canterbui'v. and we look to Canterbury to one' day call it Greater Westland. Camping parties going even as fur as Boss would find many pleasant walks through virgin bush. The best known resort is known as Mount Greenland, which entails a steady walk'oi some 1*1)111* hours, more or less, necoriling the prowess of the climbers. A good track went right to the top many years n« r o and considerable machinery has been transported over it from time to time, hut unfortunately in recent years the mining Industry has languished with the result that in places the lerns and scrub have overgrown the track. An iron hut built by the Government right oil the top of Greenland is available for <-amoors who desire to stay Inc ui"lit so‘that they may catch the early morning view as the sun appears met the horizon in all its glory. Ibis view lias to he seen to be appreciated, as pen fails'to express the grandeur created by Him whom men call God. Ihe sea beach is within a mile of the town, and the distance between the mouths ot the Mikonui and Totara Rivers is less thiii, two miles. In season fish in large quantities are caught (especially white|,ait), in both these streams. Owners of cars can run out to Lake Malunapua in less than all hour, to Lake Kauien m two hours, or Lake lauthe (the bottomless lake) on the road to the Maim Glacier ill less than two hours Ihe lure of the bush and the call ol the wilds inherent in mankind can be satiated to the full by a sojourn amongst, our lakes, mountains, iorosts ami glens, so in conclusion I would issue the invitation to all lovers ot Nature —Come and See. ] am etc., KOS-SITE.