ROUND THE MOUNTAIN.

Taranaki Daily News, 17 January 1921, Page 4

ROUND THE MOUNTAIN.

YESTERDAY’S MOTOR TRIP. “I met a man in Canada who for thirty years had lived within the sound of Niagara Falls, but had never seen them,” said the business inan. “But,” said the stranger, “perhaps it was difficult to get within sight of the falls.” “No,” said the business man, “he had only to take a tram.” “Just imagine” said the stranger, and we all felt amazed at such stodginess. Yet, how many in New Plymouth have a closer acquaintance with the marvellous scenery of Mt. Egmont than they can obtain from the Recreation Grounds? Twenty-one people who yesterday enjoyed the Gibson motor excursion know a little more of Egmont than they did, but not so much as they intend to. A sunny morning, with Just sufficient tang in the wind to stir the blood. A good road which swings up and down between country, here emerald green after haymaking, there yellower with ripening oats, or russet with patches of fern. Here a modern dairy factory, and there a gravestone or two to remind us of what it cost Taranaki four score years ago to hold her own against savagery. To such scenery add the comfort of a luxurious car, driven with the utmost care and skill, and see if it is possible not to enjoy the outing. With a pause to see the picnickers on Opunake beach, an occasional word or two with a toll-gate keeper, and we are at the Dawson Falls entrance to the National Reserve. Smoothly and steadily the car winds up through the bush to the accommodation house, where its passengers are pleased to find an excellent meal available.

A scramble to the top of Dawson Falls, and another to view it from below. A stroll up the excellent track to Wilkie’s Pool and Victoria Falls, then down through the bush to the rich flats through Cardiff to Stratford, and home to New Plymouth in time for tea. So ended a trip which was thoroughly enjoyed by}all who made it. Mr, Gibson is to be congratulated on the excellence of the cars, their driving, and the arrangements generally.