Whatever may happen in other fields of endeavour, New Zealand continues her sports-loving career with growing fervour.

The triumphant return of the All Blacks from their successful Rugby football tour in Australia, the remarkably large quota of athletes sent to the Olympic Games at Los Angeles, and the outstanding individual efforts of New Zealanders, whether at home or abroad, in all forms of physical prowess, have all helped to enhance the reputation of this Dominion as the home of sport. The bright sunshine, the clear air, and the varied nature of the country, with its rich resources and unfailing response to the right use of brain and brawn, have all helped to develop a race of physically fit people, with energy to spare for the glorious endeavour of competitive sport.

And now, to the attractions of the year has been added the truly delightful winter pastime of snow sports. This form of outdoor enjoyment has been toyed with to some extent in previous years, but with further experience and knowledge the sport has at last reached the stage where it can be regarded as organised. Ice skating is already a developed art at places like Lake Tekapo or The Hermitage. Ski clubs are in existence in various parts of the country, and these, by working together to extend the knowledge and use of the great art of skiing, have this year shown a marked advance upon anything previously attempted. On the slopes of Mt. Egmont and Ruapehu, among the Tararua Ranges, at Arthur's Pass and in the Mt. Cook region, skiing is vigorously pursued. At Mt. Cook, what is known as the “Arlburg method” has been strongly developed, and expert tuition is available, so that there is possible even to novices a quick control of the flying skis in the matter of both speed and direction.

The day when a straight run had to depend upon either a stop-bank, a fall, or an expert sudden turn for its termination has gone by. Controlled movement all the way and on any slope is the objective, and those who witnessed the recent meeting on the Ball and Tasman glaciers certainly saw some wonderfully fast and magnificently controlled skiing by skilled amateurs such as Dr. P. Wood and Mr. A. Willis. With the important skiing contests to be held this month at both The Hermitage, Mt. Cook, and the Chateau Tongariro, National Park, the interest in this outstandingly fascinating winter sport will be further developed, thus supplying what has long been needed in this country, a genuine holiday occupation and atmosphere in winter time.

The Railways have shown great interest in the development of all worth-while sport in New Zealand, and make page 6 special arrangements for the conveyance of sports-lovers to their favourite haunts. The result has been that the rail is recognised the whole country over as being the ideal method of conveyance for those travelling to see or take part in this kind of pastime, so that out of the people's healthful pleasure railway revenue benefits, and with it the financial position of the country.