HOLIDAYING IN NORTH TARANAKI.

Taranaki Daily News, 18 December 1920, Page 2 (Supplement)

HOLIDAYING IN NORTH TARANAKI.

SPECIAL PRIZE.

A VISIT TO MT. EGMONT, (By Claudia Waite, Tarata; aged 15 years.) The happiest Christinas holiday that I have ever spent was when I went to Oakura. 1 enjoyed my journey very much, for mother drove rue to Inglewood, and from there I went in the train to New Plymouth, then to Oakura in a cur. It was almost sunset, and the sparkling sea looked beautiful, while the green fields looked very picturesque, frith the sheep and lambs grazing on the already dewy pasture. It was half past six when l' arrived at my cousin's place, and the first'thing which I observed was Mt. Egmont, all pink and purple, with the amber of the setting sun.

Next morning I woke to find it perfectly fine. During the early part of the day 1 helped with the housework, and, having finished that, my cousin and [ packed an excellent basket of lunch, and before 11 o'clock we set off to the breakwater. Before we boiled the Wily and had lunch, we went for a walk to look at the wharf, and a large ship which was at anchor. After lunch we went to explore a suitable place for fishing, and after a quarter of an hour's hunt we found a successful hole. Having caught half a dozen fish, we thought it was quite time to make tracks for home, for while we were busy fishing, we had not realised how late it was, and we had yet a mile to go before we reached the car.

The next morning was wet, and the clouds hung over the mountain all day long. Tuesday was lovely and fine, so we decided to take a trip up to Mt. Egmont. I was delighted with the idea, for I had never climbed it before. It was half past six when we started off in a car for the Mountain House. The way being strange to mc made the trip simply splendid. The scarlet rata, which was in full bloom, made the ranges look like a blaze of fire. When we arrived at the House we had breakfast, but took lunch with us. Having refreshed ourselves and made a hearty meal, wo set off, for, the way being very steep, we had to go on foot. On reaching the top, we were all very exhausted, but after we had finished lunch we revived greatly. The mountain seemed very high, for you could see the South Island, and all round the North. It was much worse going down than up; for all the rocks would slide away from your feet, while the precipices and 'high cliffs made the going precarious. I was very glad when we reached the Mountain House, and had some tea. Before I arrived home I turned round, and saw how white and majestic Mt. Egmont really was. On Monday 1 went out to New Plymouth to climb the sugar loaf, Paritutn. 'lt was a very hard climb to the top, for there was nothing else to catch hold of except a single piece of wire, but when at last we did reach the top, it looked very nretty, because you could look over the town and sea. I thought that the seagulls must have been sitting, for hundreds and hundreds flew off as we appeared. The next interesting place which I visited was the Recreation Ground. It was a beautiful day, and everything looked fresh and green, for it had been raining the day before. I took a bag of cake crumbs to throw into the pond, so as to entice the ducks and swans out from the overhanging bushes, and when they did. come out they ate very greedily. It was also interesting to look nt the pretty little fish which were of all the colors of the rainbow; but us soon as we advanced they darted and dived in all directions. After inspecting all the birds and fish, we went for a Walk in among the trees, where It was lovely and cool. I went for a sail up the pond, and enjoyed it immensely. At half past four we had some tea, and then commenced our way homewards.

The next day was the day for my departure, and I was going away to my home in Tarata. I think that I had a lovely time with my cousins.