A LONG JOURNEY.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXVI, Issue 2088, 14 January 1908, Page 2

A LONG JOURNEY.

FROM THAMES TO GISBORNE BY CYCLE. A gentleman who has just completed a cycling trip from the Thames to Gisborne called at this office last- evening, and gave a reporter a very interesting account of a journey which occupied three days. AYaihi and Karangahake, in the Thames district, appeared-, he said, to be in a very flourishing condition, but the other towns cannot be said to show the same signs of general prosperity. Tauranga- was reached on the first evening, after a long day’s ride over fairly good roads. The country round about there and further south is looking very well, the crops of maize and potatoes being excellent. Opotiki and To Puke struck our informant very forcibly as going ahead rapidly, and here again the crops are in prime condition, and abundant pasture is also In evidence, although just about here the road is not too good, being a good deal cut up and very sandy. From Opotiki there is a line spin along the beach for about eight mdes when the tide is out, and a valley this side of Opotiki presented some most beautiful scenery. The valley is inhabited by Maoris, and their' gardens, in a high steito of cultivation, lend an additional charm to the scene. The track from this point to the Motu is in first-class order for travelling, but is in places very narrow, and it would not appear to require a great deal to form it into an excellent road. The bush scenery in the Motu was greatly admired by the traveller, and ho gave glowing reports of the very successful burns which have been obtained in this district. Crossing the bridge at the falls, where the stream forms itself into a miniature lake, our informant was impressed with the fact that were it only a few miles nearer Gisborne this particular spot would make an ideal resort for picnic parties, etc. The Motu country is lookng well, and shows evidences of the, beneficial rains which have recently .been experienced there. Quite a contrast was observed on the remainder of the trip to Gisborne, all the creeks being dry, not -a- drop of water being obtainable on the roads at an- stage. The country also was parched and dry, and rain is indeed badly wanted. Taken all round the trip was a most enjoyable one to an experienced cyclist, and the ride through, especially between Opotiki and Gisborne, was most interesting.