TRIP FOR BOXERS

Evening Post, Volume CXVIII, Issue 91, 15 October 1934, Page 11

TRIP FOR BOXERS

IMPRESSED BY SCENERY

THE FRANZ JOSEF GLACIER

"It is ;i marvel to me that New Zealand doesn't exploit the Franz Josef Glacier move than it does. Tho hotel accommodation there should bo taxed to tho utmost," said Mr. T. Martin, one of tho party of enthusiasts accompanying the team of Australian amateur boxers at present in Wellington. Mr. Martin, who is connected with the Queensland Railway Department, was greatly impressed with tho mountain scenery, and also with "West Coast hospitality. When Mr. Martin was-told that tho matter of capitalising New Zealand's scenic attractions was, to a greater extent than previously, receiving official notice, he said it was certainly time something was done. Ono thing that had not impressed him as favourably as the scenery was tho swingbridge near the Franz Josef Glacier, and it was only with considerable trepidation that ho had crossed it. "Tho bridge is in a bad state of disrepair," he said, "and it will have to be fixed up if Prince Henry is to cross it when he visits the glacier." . Mr. Martin's remarks were made in the course of a 100-mile motor drive on which the visitors were taken yesterday afternoon, when tho conversation was confined almost wholly to two topics—the boxing tests at Invercargiil and New Zealand scenery. Of the latter the Australians quickly formed a high opinion, particularly with the pastoral landscapes, when they travelled from Auckland to Wellington. Since then they have been able to see a groat deal of the1 country, both from the southern Main. Trunk lino and from motor-cars when taken for trips in the environs of Invereargill. SPOILT BY WEATHEE. When tho New Zealand boxing team visited Brisbane last year it was unfortunate in finding tho usually sunny city in one of its most unpleasant moods, and continuous rain foil during tho Sunday they spent there. Yesterday Wellington reciprocated with a vengeance, and what would normally have been a splendid sight-seoing trip through suburban, rural, forest, and coastal areas was spoiled by a heavy pall of Tiiin and cloud which shortened tho visibility range from points of high altitude. ■■ Shortly before 2 o'clock seven motorcars, carrying a party of nearly 30, which included the Australians, members of tho Wellington Boxing Association, tho New Zealand Boxing Council, and other enthusiasts, left the city and proceeded along tho Hutt Road and through the Hutt Valley to where the Akalarawa Road branches off from the highway to the Wairarapa. , Near this point a halt was made at tho picturesque homestead of Mr. W. G. Talbot, honorary secretary of the Wellington Boxing Association, and Mr. and Mrs. Talbot provided refreshments for the party. The cars were soon under wny again, and before, long they wore along tho tortuous road through the Akatarawa bush. Tho Australians were very interested in learning the names of the troes and shrubs through which they were passing, and in making comparisons with their native flora. Previously they had been impressed with tho amount of gorso seen from the roiul, At tho highest part of the road tho journey was ma do through misty clouds for a time. ON PAEKAKAEIKI HILL. Wuikauao was reached soon after -1 o'clock, and, when the travellers had fortified themselves with, afternoon tea, tho 30-mile homeward journey was commenced. It was at tho top of the Paekakariki Hill that the unfavourable weather caused probably its greatest disappointment. Tho view from this vantage point extended northward little further than Waikanae, and seaward only as far as Kapiti Island, but there was some consolation to be found in tho bird's-eye view of tho surf on the long stretch of beach. However, the Australians admitted that it "had the Bulli Pass" whacked." Paroniata and Porirua Harbours were seen in a misty setting, which was quito effective, but, soon after leaving this area, tho rain, which had temporarily held off, commenced to fall heavily, and the weather was extremely murky as tho c;irs ran into the city about 0 o'clock. However, the visitors' spirits were proof against tho depressing conditions, and whon conversation lagged they were always ready to fight their Invereargill battles over again.

Their hosts, on the other hand, constantly endoavoured to impress upon them that when thoy reach Rotorua this week they will forgot nil the other New Zealand scenery that has been placed before thorn. The Rotorua visit will give the Australians an excellent opportunity to a del the finishing .touches to the vocabulary of Maori place-names which they have been building up with considerable difficulty during the tour.

Tho Australians are to meet tho Wellington representatives tonight, and they will leave by the Limited express tomorrow evening. After visiting the thermal regions they will proceed to Auckland, where they will fight the local amateurs next Monday night. They will return home by the Marama, leaving Auckland on October 26.