INTRODUCTORY 



have in most portions two seasons, a fact never to 

 be lost sight of in estimating our prospects. Com- 

 munication in the country is good, and is increasing 

 in facility every year. Last, but to the Englishman 

 by no means least, the sport of all kinds is not to be 

 surpassed. Drawbacks of course there are, and it 

 is by no means the aim of this book anywhere to 

 conceal the same. Apart from the disadvantages 

 just mentioned, there is the distance of the high- 

 land to the coast, and the even more important 

 distance from England. Three weeks from door 

 to door compares badly with the week or so to 

 Canada or British Columbia. Still this distance 

 is one that affects the visitor and tourist more 

 than the settler, though naturally the distance to 

 his principal markets, with the corresponding en- 

 hanced freights, is to the latter a serious considera- 

 tion. The absence of minerals in any quantity 

 is held by many as another drawback, while all 

 admit the seriousness of insect and other plagues. 

 It should be borne in mind, however, that these 

 plagues and pests are not especially numerous. 

 In severity they have been surpassed in many of 

 the most prosperous parts of the globe. What 

 really troubles us is the fact that they are new, and that 

 fresh means of dealing with them must gradually be 

 adopted. Every year sees two or three insect or 

 other pests got in hand, and if another one or two 

 newcomers make their appearance the balance has 

 never yet failed to be on the right side. Another 

 distinct drawback, but one shared by all new colonies, 

 lies in the lack of educational facilities. This is 

 more especially so in secondary or higher education. 

 It is a drawback which was at first inevitable, and 



