Features of the Country-side.

There is a suggestion of dreariness in the landscape which possibly strikes the visitor on his first visit to Hanmer. But this impression vanishes as the stay is prolonged. The grassy plains, the tall cabbage palms that dot the hillsides and the river straths, like great pencils with frayed-out fuzzy heads, the glinting course of the rivers, winding through wide beds of grey shingle, the snow-streaked ranges, all have their graces. The lucid air, the ever-changing play of light and colour, are delightful to the senses.

There is much to interest the traveller on the Christchurch-Hanmer run. The way

A Popular South Island Health Resort.
(Photo., courtesy J. Aston.)
The Spa and grounds at Hanmer.

is through farm country of North Canterbury, the limestone downs and bold rock formation of the Weka Pass, on into the valley of the Waikari, across the strongly rushing Hurunui River, over the Amuri Plains, with their great sheep runs, and finally through the varied scenery of the Waiau, until at Hanmer Plain the altitude is 1,000 feet above sea level. The railroad ends at Waiau township, whence there is a short motor drive to Hanmer Spa. A fine lofty iron bridge spans the Waiau River.

Visitors to the Spa who are interested in our native flora will have many interesting hours botanising on the hills which surround a large part of the plain, which is rich in sub-alpine plants. These flowers are to be seen in bloom during December and January. At the Spa there are facilities for recreation, to which the salubrious climate adds a zest.

The Weka Pass, a depression in the limestone country which the railway traverses, holds interest for geologists and antiquarians. In some rock shelters or shallow caves here there are primitive paintings done in kokowai, or red ochre, by some ancient tribe of Maoris or their predecessors. There are copies of these in the Museum in Christ-church. Near the Pass is Glenmark, a homestead of some fame, because here was discovered a great collection of bones of the extinct moa bird. The bones were transferred to the Museum by Sir Julius von Haast, the geologist, who was practically the founder of that great institution.

“The laughter of children is, and ever was, among the delightful sounds of earth”—De Quincey.
Our Children's Gallery.—(1) Joan Wheeler; (2) Dulcie, Joyce and Elsie Cook; (3) Jean Brugh; (4) Joy and Rae Fahey; (5) June Fahey; (6) Daphne and Irene Greig (twins); (7) Barbara Sellars; (8) Mervyn and Marjory Ingpen; (9) Joyce Jackson; (10) Norman and Ross Hay; (11) Oluen Oliff (all of Upper Hutt, Wellington; (12) Pat Casey (Trentham); (13) Les, Bill and Colin Inglis (Melling, Wellington).