A Day Of Joys And Hazards

Bay of Plenty Beacon, Volume 12, Issue 71, 21 July 1948, Page 5

A Day Of Joys And Hazards

TRAMPERS’ TRIP TO WHALE ISLAND VOTED BEST YET

(By “Hobnail”)

Last Sunday the Tramping Club Whale Island in Mr Whittaker’s motor launch, with Mr Bathe as leader of the trip, Chief Engineer, First Mate, and everything that was useful. The sea was fair going across and the party had good views of the recreating coastline. Going ashore on the island was a long and tedious task, as only two could make, the trip each time, but under the safe guidance of Bos’n Dahm the Tramping . Club became a Boating Club. One unfortunate incident occurred when a lady member of the club who was too eager to get ashore was rswallowed up by the sea for a few i seconds, but fellow members rallied round with changes of clothing. Led by Mr Bathe the party then •commenced a grand tour of the Island. On the way all holes were duly prodded for mutton birds, but with no result, although mutton bird eggs were seen, and on arrival in Sulphur Bay a halt was called for tea, cakes and swimming (b-r-r-r). The scenery on this side is outstanding—Pohutukawa, precipitous hills and steep cliffs, and views across to Mount Edgecumbe, Tarawera, White Island and the Rurimas.

The /ascent to the Trig Station on top was made preceded, by an escort of goats (one member captured a pocket-size kid) and the reward on arrival was a panoramic .view of the Bay of Plenty from the East Cape to Tauranga, with Mayor Island and the Coromandels beyond, whilst inland there is Tarawera again and a view right up the Whakatane Valley to-Te Whaiti. The descent was made by steep slopes to the landing cover on the extreme east of the island. Unfortunately, however, a breeze sprang up and the strong swell made the re-embarkation an exciting and almost hazardous task. Members had to done ! ; fe jackets, and great praise ■to due to Mr Dahm for his wonderful oarsmanship under very difficult conditions, but the ordeal was continued even when all were on board the launch. The boat switchbacked over the waves, down valleys of menacing green water and up mountains of foam, and the faces of the passengers suffered a “sea-change” into colours very “rich and strange.” Escorting marine life received unexpected supplements to diet. However, community singing and soothing attentions from nurse members helped to distract harrassed minds and rebellious stomachs. This was certainly the Tramping Club’s most exciting trip to date, and hearty thanks were extended to Mr Bathe for making it possible by his efficient leadership.