A PICNIC UP THE POURAKINO RIVER AT RIVERTON.

Otago Witness, Issue 2813, 12 February 1908, Page 83

A PICNIC UP THE POURAKINO RIVER AT RIVERTON.

Dear Dot, — Let us, In imagination, carry you away from the busy tuiinoil of city life, away to the country to spend a day up the Pourakino Rivei at Biverton. The morning of November 11th, though rather cloudy, was as good as could be desired, and our merry party wended their way to the station and boarded the twenty past seven train en loute for Riverton. The journey from Nightcaps to Riveiton is not a very long one, and about 9 o'clock we arrived at the latter place. With joking and laughter we gathered our various provision baskets and made our way to the bridge, where in a litt c time some 25 of us were safely on board the launch. The boat glided slowly away from the wharf, and steamed up the liver, leaving the boundless ocean behind and passing rows of pleasant'vsituated houses on its way. The launch, which is rather a large one, travelled at haJfspeed, as the tide was out and sand-banks are numerous. We had a right nieiry time on board with singing and laughing as we slowly made our way up the river channel towards the Narrows. The scenery was varied — rugged rocks surmounted with birch and scrub making a pleasant sight to the eye. After travelling about two miles we arrived at Pl«a,sant Bay, and there landed, the tide not being favourable enough to go any farther. Climbing the hill we found a suitable place to boil our billies and have a hearty lunch, for which the fresh breeze had given us a keen appetite. Then we wander-ed into the bush and admired the different flowers, especially the beautiful white clematis and"" the white heliotrope lawyer blooms, blending their colours in one lovely mass against the shaded greens of the bush trees. In a. little time we returned, and started a merry round of sports, in which ail heartily joined. After three hours' sojourn in this lovely spgt we were able to go on up the river. Leaving Pleasant Bay we steamed up the river. Travelling against the wind we found it rather keen, and Sadie's hat. which became loosened from the pins, made an aerial flight and in the river, much to the amusement jnf all, but it was Tescued from its watery grave by owx skipper For the first few miles the scenery is not very picturesque ; it consists of a low stretch of flat on bcfth sides, overgrown with rushes and relieved here and there with a. clump of scrub or a straggling tree. But as we went on the scene changed, and we cuived around c bend past some sawmillers' hoxises. and steamed on. The still, calm water of the river lay before us, lined on 130 th sides with our Native trees and shrubs. Here and there the beautiful golden blooms of the kowhai mingled their rich colour with the green background, making a picture- not easily forgotten. On and on we sat in silent admiration, for mere words seemed out of place in such a spot. At the landing place our baskets were again '*o the fore, but this time our lunch was pet on a table. These tables were put up some months previously when the Governor paid a visit to the river. One of our party took the head of the table, and is since known as Lord Pluntet. Amid merry jests our meal was soon over, and we began playing gimes. A little farther up the river fxiom where we were the trees meet overhead, but* we were uuab'e to go so far, owing to the size of the launch. Leaving about 6 o'clock we steamed quickly down the river, feasting our eyes on the scene which charmed us so much coming up. Hearing Riverton all eyes were turned longingly backwards as if to impress the scene moie deeply in our hearts. We made our way straight to the station, and boarded the train for home On the train we pl?yed a game called the "question box," which passes away the time- pleasantly. At Nightcaps we made our way to our homes, all fully satisfied with the day's outing. Dear Dot. we have given you a very poor account of the beauties of this noted river, bxit if you or any of our comrades are in Riverton we would advise you, if possible, to spend a day on it, and we are sure you will not regret it. % Just a final line to say how we enjoyed Old Writer's Week, the reunion of dear departed chums whose names are ever a sweet memory to your comrades. yEMESIA A.^D SADIE. , ____ %