TROUT FISHING IN S. AFRICA 207 



the calling-room, who came to answer my pre- 

 liminary inquiry, referred me, when I mentioned 

 trout, to one of the other officials, at the same 

 time asking if I had seen a booklet entitled 

 " Official Illustrated Guide to Trout Fishing in 

 South Africa," which she handed to me. As it 

 happened, I had two copies, one of them sent to 

 me in England by an old Capetown friend, who 

 had written inside it: "To tempt you back again." 

 None the less I thanked the young lady for her 

 kindness. Her attitude, moreover, showed the 

 indispensable quality in this or any office, viz. 

 intelligent interest in the object of an inquirer's 

 call. Two other officials in the same office gave 

 me information. I received much courtesy, kindli- 

 ness, and business-like treatment which I gladly 

 acknowledge. 



After leaving there, I proceeded to the Office 

 of the Government ot the Dominion of New 

 Zealand in the Strand, and in the main hall I 

 chanced to see Captain Donne, who was passing 

 through. Of course I had gone to see trout, 

 but it was a pleasure to meet this official again. 

 He may not say in so many words, " Go to New 

 Zealand," but when you chat with him you feel 

 that that is what you ought to do. The power 

 of his personality and his intense love of New 

 Zealand combine to make you want to go out at 

 once. And he can, if you want them, give you 

 facts and figures which strengthen this desire. 



The trout that I wanted to see were there all 

 right, in the main hall, five magnificent rainbows 



