LAKE TAKAPUNA.

Auckland Star, Volume II, Issue 611, 27 December 1871, Page 2

LAKE TAKAPUNA.

" Those fast and favorite steam packets' Royal Alfred and Duke of Edinburgh made repeated trips to this district during the day, conveyingjexcurcionists to anc fro. The Lady Bowen steamer, althougl not so frequently employed, was alsc engaged on the same errand. The Laki was well patronised during the day. Th< Royal Alfred on her first trip down tool in tow a large flat-bottomed boat, to b< employed in disembarking the excurcionists, and proved of great service.- Oi arriving in the little bay or cove th< steamer dropped her anchor, transferring her living freight to the barge. A line was made fast to the rocks ashore, wit* the other end buoyed at the steame* s anchorage ground, by which the bt*"ge was hauled to shore "hand over fliprer." Tho wind blowing rather hard, toother with the unevenness of the rocks, caused several of the voyagers to lo£ their footing on landing by the landppf stage slipping from under and precipitating them into the water below, P tbeir own annoyance and amusement orthe lookerson. Tha feat of landing having been accomplished, all proceed^ to amuse and enjoy themselves as t^ir inclinations dictated. Numbers ha< provided themselves with largo bas/ etsi of provisions, and so proved their 'isdom, as the only edible procurable ODfbe spot appeared to be the rock oysters witb which many for the want of bettei* are proceeded to regale themselves. Sr-110 wandered along the sands " by the *<* sea waves," picking up here and therfsbells, others, mounted on swift but 'adaveroas-looking ponies, galloped heo aQd there they know not whither, yiile many wended their way towards t 7e Lake Takapuua to enjoy the rippling'fits waters and the surrounding scenery Here and there one would see little nirties seated beside its brink discussing the contents of their hamper and refresh themselves with its water ; others provided with " billies " would kindle a fire and enjoy " the cup that cheers but not inebriates," while a few old stagers would retire to some shady nook and there disgorge from a capacious pocket a suspicious looking bottle, and" having produced a drinking vessel in the shape of a' hand less coffee cup, proceed to blend the " Dw o(Bm .Nevis" with the " waters ft Isnakuna," according to their own taste. Not a few of tho male portion of the tourists were tempted to retire to a secluded bay and there enjoy a bath in its cooling waters, by which they declared themselves very ranch refreshed. All appeared to enjoy themselves aniazmgly, and as the day wore on they wended their way back to the port of embarkation and were conveyed on board the steamers by the afore-mentioned barge. One of the most noticeable features of tho day was that we failed to see one " intoxicate" —a pleasing thing on a day's pleasure and a noteworthy fact. This perhaps, is partly attributable to their not being any public house in the district, so that the absence

of a house of accommodation by which

one ia licensed "to be drunk upon the premises," precluded anybody from making beasts of themselves. The weather at one time appeared threatening and overcast, but happily the rain held over. The wind was fresh throughout the day and numbers of sailing boats accompanied the steamers in their trips, each being loaded with passengers. On the return trips sad was the havoc mado with tho cold colla-

tions provided by the thoughtful stewards for thoughtless pleasure seekers. Altogether a most enjoyable day was spent.