SOUTH CANTERBURY.

Timaru Herald, Volume CXXIII, 26 March 1926, Page 8

SOUTH CANTERBURY.

ON THE PRINTED PAGE. BOOK BY CHAMBER OF COMMERCE. Too long South Canterbury lias been content to play an over modest part, and lias tailed to proclaim its potentialities as n place in which to live and work and rest. The result is that while other parts of New Zealand have been advertising themselves and attracting visitors, and permanent •settlers. South Canterbury has got into the position of being “left’on the mark.” But as a result of the enterprise of the South Canterbury. Chamber of Commerce, -the leeway is likely quickly to he made lip, when South .Canterbury will occupy its proper status among the provinces, or tubprovinces, of the Dominion, in addition to which it will certainly occupy a higher place in tho estimation of outsiders who read the hook, which has just been published .under the auspices of the Chamber.

The publication contains 2f pages, which set forth in pictorial and letterpress form South Canterbury, as it really is—in the words of the book: “a land of smiling skies, scenic grandeur, fertile iields, industrial potentialities, r(tul healthy, happy, prosperous people.” Tho publication is not one to make the local resident blush, through a sense of self-praise, as the illustrations are quite typical of South Canterbury scenes and institutions, and in no case is the reading matter exaggerated, the facts of the case being set out in very readable form; and they are necessarily attractive. The book is larger than most of the kind which, have been printed elsewhere, but there is not a page that would willingly he missed by the reader. Ten thousand copies of it have been printed, and it is now being distributed from the Canterbury Court at the Dunedin Exhibition, to overseas and other visitors, free of charge. A ftnv thousand copies have also been sent to the North Island for distribution.

The book is profusely illustrated by a series of half-tone “blocks.” These cover practically every, aspect of life and activity in South Canterbury, and are excellently produced on good paper, with appropriate reading matter to suit the illustrations. In the centre of the book is a very film reproduction of a painting of Caroline Bay—described as “the safest, sunniest, and host-equipped bathing beach in Few Zealand.” The painting (h.v M. iuglis) takes in the lawns, flower piots, trees and .shrubberies, and the . pretty walks, as 'well as the band rotunda, the bathing sheds, the Bay Hall, and tho Piazza, the tall clay cliffs, with their ■ covering of niesembryanthemum; the sands, with, children playing on them; tho sea, •smooth as a pond, is seen as far north as Dashing Rocks; and, in the background, can be seen the Southern Alps. Tho three-storey Hydro Grand Hotel is seen on Stafford Street North, overlooking the. Bay, and in the distance a good many private homos may also b.; seen; the whole, in its true-to-Naturo colourings, making a pretty and very effective picture, extending across two pages of the book. Oil tho front cover is a three-colour process picture of Caroline Bay, with a reminder that this is “the ideal place to holidaj-, to work and to live.” Kiddies in undi-ess uniform, are shown, enjoying themselves to their hearts’ content —some on the sands, with bucket and spade, and ethers, in charge of their elders, equally happy, paddling in the sate .-and shallow waters. Then, toe* there are “children of an older' growth,” some m the water and others enjoying a sunbath on the sands. The predominant colour in ■ tho picture is yellow, presumably meant to be indicative of “the golden sands.” On the back cover, majestic Alt. Cook takes pride of place, and the country hereabouts is described as “the playground of Yew Zealand. Perhaps a little license has been taken in this description, but the gay ski-iug party to be seen amusing themselves on the snowy slopes indicates that the description referred to will be true in the very near future. With ski sticks and shoes, voting men and young ladies ■are seen cutting all manner of figures in the snow, the outstanding feature ot tin- par tv being undiluted joy. Havin'? described South Canterbury fullv —what •it is and what it stands lor—the book deals with its basic industn —agriculture —and then goes on to tell of the secondary industries, and of all forms of sport and social activities. Everything _ts told mteiostinglv. and while “’i nmmi-by-the-sea” is of necessity the central /mure, the attractions of the various outhing districts have not been overlooked There is a striking pienire of Lake Tekapo; as a potential source of hjdioek>eti ic power; a sketch map of bout Canterbury, showing the, 1™1 a - mountain ranges, lakes, uv-is, * rr-ids railways, chief towns, and the four- ’ counties’ (Levels Mackenzie, Geraldine and W annate); and hutl there is a map of New Zealand, shoving Timaru ns the principal town, and tl vo\n* destination. -!•< 'Altogether the hook ,s r ;l.. v ° t U ° best Rdne P vet UC aUcmptcd n hi Jim way of rifbou^Caideimy “Tofthc hook, with 10,900 copies, was £-IOC.