NOTES OF A TRIP IN WONDERLAND.

Horowhenua Chronicle, 30 September 1910, Page 2

NOTES OF A TRIP IN WONDERLAND.

(Hy a Levin Resident.)

Sir. -If any of your readers are asking themselves the question "uhere shall I spend my fortnight's holiday to the best advantage, at •1 cost of from t\'2 to Clo," I should like, through your coiMtesy, to place at I heir disposal the following notes. I may. however, be met with the initial objective that inducements should nat. in the present condition of things, be held "it fur people to leave Levin, but rather fci" them to remain and settle here. That purpose may, however, bo ihdkedly served as we proceed. The present writer can only state that he felt reassured of the subslautial solidity of the earth's crust on returning to Levin, in conllast to the uncertain ti eading of t'ic path, and the resounding holhnvness of the footsteps in the thermal districts of Xew Zealand.

The writer, in company' with a friend, left Waioiiru, on tho Main Trunk line, on the morning of Tuesday, September (>lh. alter a nigi'int spent at Air Peters' lunrdingli/Hisp, tbteo-quartor.s of a mile from AVaiouru railway station. The morning was glorious, and the mountain air. at an altitude of 2!i()() feet firoin sea level, was an inspiration. Hehind ns to nor-west the snow clad cone of Figmont was visible, and before us towered the colossal peaks of Ruapehu. Along the table lands at its base our path lay (under the careful coachmanship of Air Afacauhy, part proprietor of tho only line of coaches on this route), with (he added advantage of box seats. The weather and the season wore uu si, propitious. The recent rains and frosts of winter had laid the dust, the air wa.s crisp and bracing, and a gradually evolving view of the varied aspect's ol the mountains was a ppippofual delight. It was too early in the season to be crowded on coach and in boarding house. As we proceeded the graceful form of Xgaurulioe was unfolded to full view. It was a magnificent sight. Intermittent clouds of vapour issued from the crater, and formed over varying canopies of clouds in the deep blue above.

_ The shoulder like summit of Tongariro was the last to emerge — Tongariro, with its interesting Maori traditions. The latter part of tho journey was varied with a view of the waters of lake Taupo. and at 1..50 p.m. wo arrived at Toknauu, on its southern shore. Tlut was our first introduction to boiT ing hot springs, to bubbling mud pools, to ordinary looking creeks wjlh hot in place of cold water running. Steam jels, mud poo!s t boilin" - water, in almost every direction I lore too are to ho found two of the prettiest hot pools, with their wonderful tints of crystallisations, that we saw in the whole district, lokaanu is described as the happy hinit'ng ground of anglers ..also, and Kome anglers have declared tiho fishing in the local stieams to he the best in tho world. Tokaanu is fortv-four miles bv coach from A\aiouru, and the faro is 2os sin;.do, with reduction for .return, thorn is here aho a very comfortable and well appointed' accommodation house.

On ednesday at noon w? loft k'knanu to cross the lake to Taupo in the steam launch, under the direction of Capiain Rva„. ,\ troop of Napier High S-lion] boy.s, h-Mi their mnstor. wore aboard,' and in (JI ' :!or . to ' his passengers the '•npta.m altered tV:e course of the launch and placed it and its freight ol passengers directly under the pcrniMidu'idnr Hara,.!iiiliu,po cliffs, 200 feet lusrn. f„ leaving this locality wo were treated to a sne-er-ss,o„ 0 f c; .] ];m (■,,,„, t , )f , -'ills in vesnonee to Hie hmi'-.h'.s jvnist'e, now seimdiV' clear and dis-l->n<;U aiifl now in subdued notes winch died away in the distance. Hie boat came to its landing at I'inpn at r, o'clock, in the outlet of the lake into the great Waiknto river.

(To he continued).