LURE OF DOMINION

Hokitika Guardian, 16 January 1929, Page 3

LURE OF DOMINION

TAHITI RESIDENTS ENJOY LIFE IN NORTH. AUCKLAND, Jan. 14. Astonishingly content in their camp, attractively situated under shady and blooming Pohotuknwas in a corner of Urupukapuka Island, two British residents of Tahiti have tin’s summer discovered that the Bay of Island is a rendezvous de luxe for “beachcomers.” It seems rather like bringing coal to Newcastle for the people of tropical I .ihiti to journey to the sub-tropical climes of the Wintorless North for a I vacation, but nevertheless these two Britishers, Messrs G. H. Moore and W. A lister MacDonald, arrived from Tahiti during September, and have spent all the time since then “beachcoining'’ around the Bay of Islands. Mr Moore owns an important copra plantation in Tahiti ' and Mr MacDonald describes himself as “an unobtrusive resident of the .most beautiful place in the world—Tahiti.” Unlike most tourists who came to New Zealand, we have no definite plans beyond the fact that wo intend continuing with our programme of loafing, they declared in an interview. The tropics play havoc with the white man, and we find the New Zealand climate the best in which to recuperate. In Tahiti it is like summer night and day from one year’s end to the next. It exacts its toll from the Anglo-Sax-on. who apparently must have overcoat weather occasionally.” Their camp has a definite air of simple and artistic independence about it. One feels that here at least are two men who are actually living what we all dream. The two unconventional visitors live in tents in their secluded bay and get as close to nature as they can. They wear a minimum of clothes, such as they would not dare use under thcTelent.loss Tahitian sun. When they want food they simply row out and catch fish. When they have eaten they sleep, read or walk about the hills. Tliis they have been doing day after day through .week after week. They have even resisted the lure of deep sea angling off Cane Brett. Mr MacDonald is a water colour art. ist and an impressionist whose work, besides having been exhibited in the .Royal Academy, is well known in New Zealand. It is his intention to make several landscapes of the Bay of Islands.

After another two weeks in northern waters the two visitors intend making a comprehensive but leisurely tour of the South Island and more particularly of Milford Sound. “Tt is claimed that tlie New Zealand sounds or fiords equal those of Norway,” said one of the visitors. “If they do they must be very beautiful. New Zealand is the most unique vacation country in tlie world. Within ils short length practically every climate can be found, and every outdoor sport enjoyed. Wliat other country offers so much? We will never forget New Zealand, we will always remember it as a benchcomer’s heaven.”