ROUND THE PACIFIC

Rotorua Morning Post, Volume 1, Issue 84, 30 November 1931, Page 4

ROUND THE PACIFIC

AMERICAN TOURISTS VISIT ROTORUA REGRET STAY SO SHORT Ninety-six American tourists who are on a round the Pacific tour conducted by the Matson Navigation Company in co-operation with the American Express Company,4 arrived in Rotorua about three o'clock yesterday afternoon by special train. The Matson liner Malolo, on which th,ey are cruising, arrived in Auckland on Saturday. ;The party were met at the railway station by the district manager at Rotorua of the Tourist Department, Mr. L. J. Bayfeild, who welcomed them to the town and then accompanied them on a visit to Whakarewarewa. At, the native village the Maoris gave a special greeting to the visitors, singing . sonae of their native songs of weleome to the waving of gpeen fronds before they divided the party up to show them the thermal sights. This is the first occasion on which the Maoris have greeted any American party in this manner. After seeing the main sights at Whakarewarewa the party went to their lodgings, being divided between the Grand Hotel, Princes Gate, Wai-

t wera House. and Arawa House. Several of the tourists remarked to a "Post" representative that they were much impressed by Rotorua's thermal wonders and wished that they could have stayed longer so that they might see more of the district. In the evening the party were entertained at a Maori concert in the Peerless Hall. This morning a visit will be paid to Tikitere and then to the five lakes, after which the tourists will return to Auckland by special train. leaving early in the afternoon. A smaller party, who separated from the main body, yesterday went to Waitomo and then on to Tongariro National Park for the night. They will arrive in Rotorua to-day in time for the train to Auckland. This party is accompanied by Mr. Marshall of the Tourist Bureau, Wellington. After leaving New Zealand the s.s. Malolo will call at Suva, Pago Pago and Honolulu, before fmally berthing at San Francisco. The cruise is directed by Mr. Louis D. Stone of the American Express Company, assisted by Messrs W. R. McPhail and W. A. Shedd, of ,the same firm. These three officials have been on'all three cruises.made so far by the Malolo to New Zealand, and expect to make' many more.