WONDERFUL N.Z.

Hokitika Guardian, 26 January 1933, Page 6

WONDERFUL N.Z.

HIGH PRAISE FOR, WEST COAST

COURTESY AND SCENIC BEAUTY

CHRIST'CHURiOH, January 25.

Apart from itu scenic beauty New Zealand is a wonderful country. That is the opinion of a visitor to Christchurch, Lieu'ier.iant-Comn.ander C. M. E. Clifford, BN., who arrived last night from the West Co-a.st. Lieuten-ant-Commander Gifford, who is Aide-de-Camp to Sir Philip' Game, Governor of New South Wales, has been particularly impressed l\y the courtesy of those who cuter for the travelling public.

Arriving in Auckland on December 28, Lieutenant-Commander Gifford and his sister, Miss Joan Gifford, made a rather hurried tour of the recognised scenic attractions of the- North Island, being struck by the unique displays in the thermal regions, or which they had heard but never before seen. Commander Gifford, after speaking highly of the Maori guides at Rotorua, declared that the drive from there ito Waikaremoana was the finest on which be,had ever been. SERVICE: OAR, COURTESY.

Nelson was reached on January 14 and there, followed a rapid tour of the West Coast, where the visitors were deeply impressed by the natural beauty of the South Island. Commander Gifford said die thought the effect of the mountain ranges so near the sea was magnificent. Apart from (lie scenery lie wag impressed by the courtesy and knowledge of the servicecar drivers on. the West Coast- for whom, with those in charge of hotels, be bad nothing but praise. Both theFox and Franz Josef glaciers were vii-iit-ed in /.he, course of a hurried trip and the commander bad thoroughly enjoyed bis first experience of climbing and ski-ing. Of his seventy- , two hours at Wajlio thirty-six were spent on the mountains, fen and a-ha If of them on the first day. He was keen : to go s-ki-ing and ascended 5000 ft. to do so. He declared with enthusiasm : that the West Coast was a wonderful place for a holiday, especially with the fine tyne of men he had met as guides at Wa-iho. He certainly had a strenuous time at the- giaciens and among hjs experiences when ski-ing was a thin'v-foot fall into a hergsehrund, out of which be was hauled with a rope. SERVED AT GALLIPOLI.

Lion ten a nt-O-mmnnder Gifford has had a varied life since going to sea at the, age of fifteen. He was at a naval college, before the war wild after the outbreak of hoefilities served as a midshipman at Galljnoli. He was in the navy throughout the war -and after peace had been declared did a certain amount of flying in England and from a carrier in the Mediterranean. For the ptnst two years and a half lie -has been aide-de-camp to Sir Phil’p Game. Lieutenant-Commander Gifford and his sister will return to- Sydney on the Monterey, motoring' to Blenheim and flying to Wellington.'To-day they will leave for a few day’s visit to friends at Waiau.