THROUGH THE NORTH

Sun (Auckland), Volume II, Issue 502, 3 November 1928, Page 11

THROUGH THE NORTH

BUSINESS MEN’S TOUR AMONG THE GIANT KAURIS (SUN'S Special Reporter.) COMMERCE TRAIN KIRIKOPUNI, Wednesday night. To-day the tourists are thoroughly tired. They continue to travel all day and all night in their endeavour to see as much of the province as possible. As the journey progresses one admires more and more the tact of the various speakers at the various functions. Speech-making, by the way, is becoming rather a trial. At dinner in Dargayillc, Mr. H. T. Merritt mentioned that since leaving Auckland six days ago he had spoken on IS different occasions. Professor Belsliaw, Mr. E. Casey, ,Mr. Lam bio and Mr. Julian Foster are, others who must rapidly be running short of subjects, though they are never lost for something to say. Before leaving Huntly, we learned that the output of tlie Pukemiro coalmine has risen from 76,000 tons in 1901 to 574,000 tons in 1927. Mr. C. F. Bennett, in an excellent speech, remarked that after coming great distances on a great train, the tx*avellers had arrived at Huntly to find something entirely new in the coal-mine. He referred especially to the housing conditions there.

A good dinner over, and back on the train, bound for Newmarket, where mails and refreshments were taken on board. This morning we woke at Waiotira Junction. On the journey through to Kirikopuni We were able to see the new section of line which will eventually join the main line to the now fatherless piece running from Dargaville to Donnelly’s Crossing, in the kauri country. It was our first real glimpse of the North, country which is rapidly becoming a big dairying centre, and which looks extremely prosperous to the man from town. j* Motor buses carried us to Dargaville, where we breakfasted, and left later for Trounson Park, on a train which brought back memories of the bad old days of the railways. THROUGH TROUNSON PARK

Trounson Park, with its magnificent kauri trees, was within early walk of the railway station, though the ground was rather sticky after the rain overnight. .The forest itself was a delight, even if the walk through its tunnels of green grandeur was rather tiring. However, no one would have missed the sight of the forest giants. Back through the forest again to the waiting train for the return journey to Dargaville. A call was made at Babylon, where a plant has recently been installed for the extraction of gum from kauri logs obtained from the swamps in the vicinity. The process is considered rather a secret, and is in charge of a German Scientist. So far the scheme has been a success. At dinner to-night, Mr. Jones, Mayor of Dargaville, said that a quarter of a century ago butter was an unknown product in Northern Wairoa, but last year the output was 3,000 tons. RUSSELL, Friday. We have learned two important things to-day. One that the winterless north is not altogether winterless, and the other that it is far from roadless. To-day we have journeyed by train and motor and launch through the most historical country in New Zealand, and to-night we are at Russell, speeding over perfect roads through a countryside which might be a lovely corner of England In summer.

To-day’s journey has proved beyond all doubt that the North is now coming into a prosperous period, and the men from the city have seen examples. of land reclaimed from, seemingly barren country, irf which a few •ears ago no on® took any interest. This morning we woke at Okajhau. and motored to Horeke, a beautiful littlo spot on the Hokianga Harbour, where we breakfasted. A journey across the harbour by launch brought us to Kohukohu, where a warm welcome and many motor-cars were waiting. Then on to Broad wood, and a trip into the farm lands surrounding it. Back for lunch, then on again, on a 50 miles run to the train, and way to Opua and Russell- Durim the speech-making at Broadwood, Mr. Merritt mentioned that after seeing the wonderful beauties and possibilities o the North, many would make pilgrimages there from Auckland. Glorious evening sunshine greeted us at Opua, and the launch trip to Russell was another of those glorious memories of a glorious and unique trip.