BEAUTIFUL NORTHLAND

Sun (Auckland), Volume III, Issue 828, 23 November 1929, Page 6

BEAUTIFUL NORTHLAND

MAGNIFICENT SCENERY VIEWED COMMERCE TRAIN’S TOUR (THE S US S Special Reporter.) K.VWAk'AWA. Friday. ! The farthest north point of the Commerce Train party’s tour was reached today, when a visit was paid to Doubtless Bay. i Tho tourists spent a glorious motor 1 run from Kaitaia to Kawakawa, a dis- j tance of more than 100 miles, by devi- j i ous routes. Leaving early, the party made qui<-k time to Mangonui. after skirting beautiful Doubtless Hay. A • sparkling ocean, fringed with golden j as t e nc r aspeet. Then ; ! there was mile upon mile of farm | j lands dipping to the sea level, j At Mangonui the motors sped round j the Tingnificent waterfront road to I Totara North, on Whangaroa. Harbour. I In brilliant sunshine the business men boarded launches, arranged for by Air. Wilfred Lane, chairman of the Whangaroa County Council. The rugged grandeur of the cliffs, plunging sheer into the deep water, wevo grimly impressive. A large barge, towed by the launch, and tilled with the tourists, was a novel form of transport. For an hour the inlets ; were explored. Then the course was set for a pretty bay, where the beach was seen to be lined with school children and men and women. A MAORI FEAST Something entirely new to most of the travellers was being prepared. Kapa Maori, the ancient method of native cooking, was demonstrated. Pipis, potatoes, kumeras, and fish of j several kinds were cooked by steam from hot stones, covered with earth and ! fern leaves. To the visitors’ delight, no utensils of civilisation were permitted, and all were required to eat with hands from flax baskets. There were numerous burnt lingers. Nevertheless the gustatory entertainment was acclaimed as one of the happiest inspirations for the pleasure of the visitors on the whole it i ne.rary. After an hour's stay, departure was made for Whangaroa, to the accompaniment of cheers for the hosts. KAWAKAWA ENTERTAINS [ Tile townspeople of Kawakawa enterI tained the tourists at a smoke concert this evening. Proposing the toast of the Auckland Chamber of Commerce, Mr. G. Leaity. president of the local chamber, referred to the success of the tour,'•which had opened the eyes of city men to tho possibilities of the Great North. Within a mile of tho township was the lirst coal mine in New Zealand. It turned out the best coal in the world. He felt sure the field had not been more than touched, and offered immense possibilities. He concluded with wishes for a pleasant stay in the district. In reply, Mr. M. Stewart. vicepresident of the Auckland Chamber of Commerce, thanked the residents for their hearty reception. Everywhere the tourers had been accorded a remarkable welcome. The North would have 60 new boosters when the party returned. i Mr. S. JL>. Smith, chairman of the • Kawakawa Town Board, speaking to tho toast of “The Railways,” said the system was as necessary to New Zealand as arteries to the human body. The lines had done great work for the development of lands. The railways had now been placed ou a commercial basis and the department was out for business. “Our experience of- the officials has been a happy one,” said Mr.. Smith. “Wo regard Mr. A. W. Wellsted, the j business agent, as one of the best in ! his job.” NEW SPIRIT IN RAILWAYS Recent years, added the speaker, had shown a new attitude of the Railway Department to its work, chiefly through the general manager, Mr. H. H. Sterling, who inspired confidence and encouraged a new spirit. “In the past it has been our experience to get more kicks than halfpence, but that is now passing,” said Mr. Sterling in reply. “The public is today giving the co-operation due by shareholders to a big business.” Dike the 19.00 U men in the service lie was only trying to do his best and was delighted to hear that people in North • Auckland were satisfied with the con- ! duct of lines through that territory, he concluded. I Also associated with the toast was i Mr. D. Rodie, commercial manager of railways, who said he had previously , ! been known as the official “railway trumpeter,” but since joining the com- ! mere© train he had been silent be- ' cause on board were 50 boosters from i the city for the North and for the i railways. His function, he said, was ! to get into touch with commercial and j farming men to pick tip hints for the : extension of rail facilities. ! Illustrating complaints the depart- ! ment had to put up with, Mr. Rodie . j said a woman once grumbled that . ; there was no fire in a certain railway [ j station. He said, “Madam, I don't , ! think a fire necessary. There are no l trains.” She replied, scornfully, “I I am not waiting for a train, I want a service-car.” - i ....