One of the most beautiful of our southern lakes: the scene
at Channel Islands, Lake Manapouri. - Otago Witness,
28.2.1912.
After waiting at the Hermitage, Mount Cook, from Saturday
night until Wednesday morning in the hope that the weather
conditions would change, a number of members of the Press
Association had reluctantly to abandon their intention of
reaching Greymouth, where the annual meeting of the association
is being held, by way of the Copland Pass.
On Tuesday Messrs Fenwick, Stanley Smith, and Barr,
accompanied by Guide Graham, proceeded up the Hooker Valley
as far as the hut which has been erected on the Copland Pass
track.
It rained intermittently during the six-mile walk to the hut,
and, as snow was lying on the track almost down to the 4000ft
level, at which the hut is erected, Graham decided that it
was hopeless to expect to get across the pass for a few days,
the weather showing no sign of change.
The party made their way back to the Hermitage, and the
gentlemen named, together with other members of the party are
now on their way to the West Coast, via the Otira Gorge.
• Education in the Dominion has at times been criticised very
adversely for not being in keeping with the requirements of
the people or the class of work which residents in the
different districts have to perform.
At Wednesday's meeting of the Board of Technical School
Managers, however, there was not wanting evidence that a
change is taking place in this respect in various parts of
the Dominion, for among the correspondence were no fewer than
three letters, headed Wellington, Christchurch, and
Invercargill, from gentlemen offering to conduct classes in
veterinary first aid, wool-classing, and sheep-farming and
wool-classing respectively.
From the details contained in the letter we gather that these
three gentlemen are at present all engaged in teaching the
different subjects mentioned above. Evidently, therefore, the
study of agriculture is now receiving a share of the
attention it has so long lacked.
• The Waikouaiti settlers are moving in the direction of
holding the annual celebration of the anniversary of the
settlement of that district by passengers by the Magnet in
1840.
There is a remnant still surviving of that hardy band, and
their presence at such gatherings bridges the present with
that distant past that was the precursor of so many changes.
The date which is fixed upon for the celebration is March 20,
which is the nearest suitable day to the actual anniversary -
namely, March 13.
Unfortunately, Waikouaiti is cut out from the list of
stations at which all the express trains stop, and efforts
are being made to induce the railway authorities to relax on
this occasion the rule which forbids many from a distance
from being present.
The celebration is of sufficient historical value to warrant
the small concession which is to be asked for.
• As so many people are leaving at the present time for a
trip to the Old Country, the Union Company draws attention to
the sailing of its steamers for American ports, London, and
Europe.
Both the Tahiti and Manuka are twin-screw steamers, and
fitted with wireless telegraphy, and on account of the large
amount of accommodation on the upper decks are especially
suitable for travelling through the tropics.
These steamers will leave Wellington, calling at Rarotonga
and Tahiti en route, and the whole trip is a most enjoyable
one. On arrival at San Francisco the privilege is given of
travelling by any of the routes across America, connecting at
New York with the White Star and Cunard steamers.-ODT,
23.2.1912.
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