WANAKA NOTES

Hokitika Guardian, 4 August 1928, Page 1

WANAKA NOTES

(From a Correspondent). RED DEER FORESTS. , Upon the suggestion of local sports- , men, the Lake District Acclimatisation .Society are considering cutting their , red deer country into suitable stalking . blocks, thereby running in lino with , the Otago and Westland Societies whose boundaries adjoin the Makarova Valley. It has been claimed tbe Society would increase their finance thereby, meet with the approval of visiting sportsmen, and cut out poaching, which they know goes on unchecked in their deer country. Mr J. S. Hunt (AVanaka Ferry Service), Mr F. Freeman (Minaret) and Mr Erie James ((White Star Tourist Services) have offered them assistance in order to bring this improvement about. A visit to Wanaka and tbe Haast Pass by Mr Donald Macgregor, of Dunedin, arranged by tbe AVliue Star Tourist Services, Ltd., was successfully completed last week. Tbe AA r estland section beyond the Pass was unfortunately marred by wet weather, but in spite of this some excellent scenes were staged. These were principally track, mountain, and river-fording scenes staged by AA’est Coast residents at the Bourko Flat. This latter scene included swimming stock across tbe river. Photographs of lake views have also been taken. A number of Makarora and AVest Coast residents participated in tbe scenes. Mr Macgregor lias bad previous track work experience and considers tbe scenery on tbe Haast Pass track unrivalled. Air H. M. Maekay, of AVanaka Motors, was tbe prime mover or tbe tour and is to be congratulated on his sustained activities towards tbe development of the natural resources of tbe district. Mr Maekay, who accompanied tbe party over tbe Pass, was much impressed with the varied natural beauty of tbe route and will no doubt return to town and repeat with renewed vigour, his repeated requests for government support towards opening up this valuable national asset. A second cinematographic tour will no doubt be arranged for next summer. Some excellent work has been done on tlie Pass section of tbe Haast Pass track by a gang of men under Air J. Mcßride, of Olcuru. A new householders meeting was held in tbe school room last week and the following were elected—Messrs A. Meade, J. Murdoch, H. Shrubsol, C. Hansen and R. Dunning. Air C. Hansen was re-elected chairman of the new committee. It is reported that a Greymouth firm of sawmillers are to shortly commence the cutting ami milling of white pine at Olcuru on the Coast, where there is unlimited extent of untapped timber wealth. Air Crawford, senr. (North Island) is at present spending a holiday with his son, Air L. Crawford, at Rainy Flat, Upper Makarora. In anticipation of a marked increase in tourist traffic to and through the district, two residents propose to equip and prepare accommodation for the influx of travellers. Rabbits, formerly very numerous ifi the Haast A'alley, are now almost extinct. .. Air Eric James received injuries through liis horse falling in rough country and rolling on him. Though tbe accident occurred in a remote district Air. James returned to Makarora with pnck-liorses, unassisted. Mark Koeti, a AVest Coast Alnori, employed on the Haast Pass track, was thrown from bis horse the same day in tbe Upper Makarora A’alley and received severe injuries. AVinter rabbiting is nearing completion. A considerable reduction is reported from the district, said to be on account of unsuccessful methods used by rabbiters, due to some extent to tbe scarcity and costliness of oats in the district and further to tlie inexperience of some new rabbitters operating. Some good kills are reported from Alt. Albert and Alinaret. Tbe market is good and experienced men are making substantial cheques, some even known to be making £4O. per week! Tbe decomposed body of a native infant was found in a.suitcase by employees near tbe. Alakarora Station homestead on Thursday last. Tbe police have taken charge of the contents and an inquest is to be held at Pembroke.