Have you ever been to the Isle of Dreams, Trainlanders?

People from all countries come to see it and to forget their worries. This world-famous Isle of Dreams is Stewart Island, which is just the kind of place you would read about in an exciting story-book.

Strange though it may seem, thousands upon thousands of acres are unexplored. What lies in those mysterious forests? Gold? Remains of prehistoric animals? Ancient Maori treasures? The latter is quite likely, because valuable Maori carvings are frequently found in the populated parts of Stewart Island.

When you visit the island see if you can meet Mr. F. Traill who will tell you all kinds of interesting and thrilling facts about the Isle of Dreams. When Mr. Traill goes out in his launch he takes a box with a glass bottom. This he places over the surface of the water and presses it down, being careful that the water does not reach the top edges and enter the box. Through the glass bottom strange fish can be seen darting about on the ocean bed.

If you are a keen young naturalist you will be wildly excited at finding over 500 species of flowers in Stewart Island. About twenty of these are found in no other part of the world. The island is a bird sanctuary, so you can imagine how fearless and happy the birds are as they flit about and fill the peaceful bush with their sweet bird songs.

The Isle of Dreams is known to the Maoris as Rakiura—“Land of the Glowing Sky.” The sunsets are remarkable in their beauty, and it is lovely trying to row right into the heart of the sun.

The whaling base, with its fleet of whaling ships, in Paterson Inlet, is the favourite haunt of girls and boys. The Norwegian sailors are jolly fellows, who tell tales of travel and adventure in the far South.

Aren't we New Zealanders lucky to own the Isle of Dreams?

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