CHRISTCHURCH TO HOKITIKA.

Hokitika Guardian, 5 April 1927, Page 4

CHRISTCHURCH TO HOKITIKA.

EXCURSION TO WEST COAST. SUC' E.SSUUL DAY SPENT (Lyi i. 'icon “ i Miles."', The call to renew nequainram es and to see once more Idle province oi their birth caused a throng of West Coasters resident in Cauf'rb-iry to make a railway excursion from Christchurch to IL.kiiika on Saturday. Over 1 '-1)0 people made the journey. The dav v. as remarkably line, greatly adding to the pleasure of the excursionists and malting travelling conditions ideal. EARLY .MORNING SCENES. Tiie two first arrivals made tlic.r appearance on the platform at -1.10 u.m well wrapped in overcoats and scarves, for Lin’ morning was chilly. Then twos and threes and in families they came, nil anxious to have a choice of seals At live o’clock the platform was rapidly filling. About lot) were lined up waiting to take their seals. Some were growing impatient, and complaining that the carriages should ho opened. Then an enterprising young man found a, window that would open. With a whoop of delight, he climbed in. Others followed him. In other places, too, windows were being pushed up and the carriages entered A little later, however, the doors were unlocked, and the first real rush for seats began. At .3.15 o’clock all the best seats were Idled.

A steady stream of taxis, private cars, motor-cycles and cycles now set in, the traffic in .Manchester Streel and Moorimuse Avenue resembling a midday rush at the hank corner. At six o'clock only a few seats weie vacant., and there were still many running up and down the length of the platform, endeavouring to find a place. In a few more minutes ('very available seat on the train was taken up. A few, rather than he left behind, found their way into the guard’s van, making this their quarters for the trip. THE START. At (’>.2o o’clock, the first train, with its liltcen carriages, left Christchurch on it 17.3-mile run to Hokitika. A dense morning mist hung over the sleeping city. Tiie day was growing lighter, and tinsky became an arch of endless blue. In the early morning sunlight the countryside became a twinkling, fantastic fnirvland .as <•:’< h dew-bathed leaf, l-oi.gli. hedge n-'l tree sparkled and sh- iie in radiant hie . !M:M!E-.I!MI:XT.- \T SHEUUiEI.D. Sheffield we.- the liist stopping place. Here wire refreshments. No sooner had 1 1" 1 :.■ ia ce-i.-ed moving than tl'eie was a helter-skelter rush along the platform to the room where steaming clips of tea and tasty sandwiches v ere waiting to he consumed. The si 11 - t---.-mall mom seemed in danger of being hurst- asunder with the crush of humanity that was seeking to make its closer a<-quaiatance. Uln climb up to Arthur's I’n-s was intensely (old. An icy wind was Mowing oh' the uiiwi lad mountains, making I ravelling conditions trying. With their coats wrapped a little lighter round them, however, tin- ex- ai intiists forgd the ihill. and fell to admiring the grand-nr of the landscape spreading before ihe.u. The majestic Kiiow-i'lipped sentinels standing guard over the township nesting at lheir feet made a picture that pleased the eyes of all. At Otira then- was another rush and scramble for refreshments, and then Hie train was nil its way again travelling through wonderful mountain scenery and beauty. .Mile on mile of beautiful native liugh was passed, and as the train wound ils way along the bank of the river cameras came out while amateur photographers took

soaps and views. ON THE COAST. Greyinoinh turned out. in force t) welcome the excursionists. A great throng lined the station platform, displaying much enthusiasm. Many of the Christchurch people left the train here, hut the majority completed (he run to Hokitika. Hokitika folk looked cm the day as the day of the year. Practically every tx-blent was on Liie station to greet the excursionists, according them the wannest, of welcomes. 'lhe visitors seemed to flood the town. Not for a long lime had such a crowd been seen ihere. The residents at once put themsclvc- out to look alter tlu* new-comers. While spore- were being played at. Cass Square, motor trips were being carried out to the various beauty spots round about. Lake Kanieri was the most popular with the visitors, and every motor ear available in the town was utilised in coping with the demand for scats.

At the lake the excursionists made the most of their time, seeing the glory of the native bush and the beauty that crowns Kanieri as one of tHo prettiest spots in New Zealand. Many took trips by motor launch, visiting the various coves and hidden nooks that abound on the shore of the lake. THE RETURN. Time to return to Christchurch urried all too quickly. At the station as the excursionists made their way homewards the enthusiastic scenes of the morning were repealed. “Come again, and conic soon, Canterbury!” were Hokitika's parting words. At Greymouth, too, the station was crowded. The scene was one of rousing cheers and hearty hand-shakes; there were smiles and tears, moments of joy and sorrow. Friends who had been separated had met for a few short hours, and now, again, the parting. An hour or so later, the train was once more in Canterbury, rushing home through the darkness. Tired and weary after the long day the excursionists sought sleep and rest. They came to life again at Sheffield for refreshments. Stimulated by the hot cup of tea the travellers spent a bright hour, hut after that many slept. The day was one of great success, the excursion going off without a hitch.

(From “Press” Report). Pioneers of one-day rail excursions to the Coast, members of the "West Coasters’ Association, must have felt gratification at the response to their invitation to Christchurch citizens to visit Greymouth or Hokitika at very small expense, and return to tiie City well under the 21 hours. Both of the excursions on Saturday were well filled, the first, that of the West Coasters’ Association, having sixteen passenger ears containing over 750 people, and the second, that of tHe Point Elizabeth Co-operative Coal Company fifteen carriages, and about the same number of passengers. Two large locomotives were required for eacli train, and the timetables were adhered to fairly closely on both outward and return journeys. Complete arrangements had been made lor the entertainment of the visitors, particularly at Hokitika, which drew more thail 800 of the 1500 odd passengers. Very few children travelled, parents evidently considering the train journey too great ft strain. There was plenty

of evidence on the West Const ol keen appreciation of the enileiivotir lo popularise the province from a picnickers point oi view, ami every railway station ’nail its crowd out to welcome the trains. At lireymouth, the Mayor (Mr W. 11. i’arliU) accorded the visitor-, a welcome, and there were largo crouds on the. platform at the arrival and departure of the trains. Mr I’arlitt remarked to a reporter that (ireynioiilh residents expected a great impetus to the tourist Maine to tin 1 Coast following upon the excursions. and that the visit to the district of hundreds ol people wno had novel been here helore, would make weekend excursions to (1 reymouth and Hokitika. quite as popular as those run at. frequent intervals hy the Hailway Department to Arthur’s Hass and Olira.

Perhaps those who appreciated the excursion most were peojde who were enabled to rejoin relatives and friends, hut to those who had hitherto not visited the West Coast the heatilitul motor drives along the hush-enclosed mads giving access to .Moana and Duke Kanieri were a revelation as to the scenic glories of Westland. '.the two lakes I ringed with hush to the water's edge were almost unruilled by the faint breeze blowing, and their

.surfaces mirrored the towering mountains which enclose their waters. Nearly titty per cent of the people travelling to Hokitika went hy motor to Lake Kanieri. all the available cars being pressed into service lor their t ransport. 'I lips t> Lake Kanieri and the Kiniu dredge proved popular. As the result of splendid organising, an opportunity was aliorded nearly three hundred excursionists to enjoy t lie drive to the lake, motor car lares Icing specially re bau d !'■ r the it. asioii. ; la- , - us: licir. real lied C hristi lum-li at 1 a.m. and - a.ill. respectively. .Many of the passenger, had quite a and die number of motor ears and taxis i.i Mvorhouse leeuue ■ ]ipostL.* the railway station at the lime ol .the trains arrival has probablv seldom been exceeded.

had been promoted to Kuniara and (eaves at the end of the month. .Mr Poston's lecture had resulted in a gross profit of 22 I'2s 3d. The school had been closed on two days in connection with the Duke’s visit. A number of library hooks had come to hand; six typewriters had been received lrom the High School Hoard. Some more dual desks had come to hand and tho school was mow nearly supplied with new furniture. He suggested tho sehuol ho closed for a week for tho Master holidays; suggesting enquiries he made for the supply of a gramophone. The annual school sports will he held on Wednesday week.—Kccetv-

Mr Partridge also reported that an enquiry on the question of home lessons had been made from parents and the voting had resulted in !) parents favouring a reducton, 10 favouring their being abolished, 23 in an ini reuse and 100 in the lessons being continued as at present.—deceived.

It was resolved the Master holidays extend over a week as usual. It was resolved to ask the Horough Council to provide seme gravel for the approaches to the school. Some requirements asked for were authorised, including tho procuring ol a gramophone, the High School Hoard to he asked to supply same and suitable records. ■ The. Visiting Committee (Messrs Swcncy ;jnd Clarice i reporLed on some requirements. Deceived. .Messrs Shannon and Coulson were appointed visitors. Accounts as s he luled were t asstd The Committee rase at ’DIP j .m.