MONDAY'S EXCURSION.

Waikato Times, Volume XXVI, Issue 2128, 27 February 1886, Page 2

MONDAY'S EXCURSION.

If the weather and other conditions be favourable, the excursion by rail on Mon_ day, on the occasion of the opening of the live to Te Aroha, ought to be the most enjoyable that has been planned by tho railway authorities this -season. Apart from any gratification that may be derivable from witnessing the opening ceieiu.my, the trip presents so many other means of enjoyment that under piopitious cucumstances it cannot fail to be a very pleasaut one. The journey will be through country that has many features of interest, and the locality to which the excursion is to be made offera so many attractions, that we venture to predict very few will return from it disappointed. In (tie snort time that will be at the disposal of the visitors after reaching their destination, it will of course be im possible for them to sew all that is worthy of being seen in the neighbourhood, but in the township and its immediate surroundings there will be found objects of interest, and means of enjovinenr that will afford them ample gratification during their brief stay. First among the attractions of the place must be classed the baths, to which more than anything else the fast growing celebrity of Te Aroha is due, and but for which it might have remained in obscurity for years to come, destitute of other means of communication with the outer world except by rough bush tracks, or a Btill more tedious journey by water. On the extraordiuary medicinal properties of the Hot Springs, and the vast amount of benefit that suffering humanity has derived from them it is not necessary to expatiate ; but apart from their value in that respect, the baths afford to the strong no less than to the weak a most pleasurable sensation, aud a plunge into some of the waters of moderate temperature is a luxury than can only be realised by experience. In anticipation of a rush of visitor* on Monday, the Domain Board (in which body the care of the batbs is vested), have made arrangements to meet the emergency. In addition to the eight private baths in the No. 3 house, there are now five others in different parts of the reserve, in which from six to a dozen persons can disport themselves at the same time, and this accommodation will, it is thought, be sufficient to enable «11 enable all-comers. Next among '•the attractions of the place comes the beautiful mountain, from which the town derives its name. It is much to be regretted that the short time permitted to visitors will not allow them to make the ascent, for from the summit which reaches to a height of 32G0 feet, pei haps the grandest view in the North Island can be obtained, the range of vision on a clear bright day extending north and south from Cape Colville to Tongariio and Ruapehu, and from White Island in the east away to snow-capped Mount Egraont in the far distant west. Persons who are strong in mind and limb, and have a liking for alpine exercise will have time to climb the fern spur, which rises to 1000 feet at the back of the township. The prospect from it is necessarily much more limited in evtent, being shut out by the higher part of the mountain behind, but a magnificent panoramic view can be obtained of the Thimes Valley and the districts westward of it, all of which is spread out like a map at one's feet. The ascent of the spur and the return to the township can be done in less than two hours, and however tired the climber may feel by his labours, all trace of fatigue will quickly disappear before the magic influence of the waters of the bath. Next there is tho neighbourhood of

W liitrougoinai, winch is witlii'i three miles of Te Arohd, andean b^ii'.nhei] by coach or on horseback in less th m li ilf- ln-hour. The mines ,ne situated about two miles hi^l'i-i up the creek that gives its name to tln> I'r.ility, and tlu-r.' i-> an excellent bridle track to them. The lo\«»lv glimpse of bush scenery which this tiack alTi.ids can hardly bo surpassed anywhere, and th'> visitor vvh'i is fond of Mir!., and has tune to make the j'»uriif\ >.l find himself well lew ,n deil. In ti ;i|>"site direction fiom Te Aloha lies t'nj Tin cieek at the head of which, about two miles distant fiom the township, arc Mtu ite>l the silvi-i irmi's, which have b"en brought into hitfh repute l»y n cent til «ls of the ok- There is a good road to llic (hum , ami th< se in w hit h woik i« going on can be nadicd conifoitably on horst back. Tn the town it elf, is hi most other country places, th.' olijttts () f mteiest to stmijreis .ire soon o\li.iu«ted, but thcie aie lawn tennis couits in thn dom un, nnd ample siopofoi 10-ving cm be had on the liver wlieie a niim'ui of lr n 'iit boats are always ready for h'tv. Apmt fn.ni the op •ning ceieinoiue-.of the raihvav, pleisiae> onoii^h will be foim 1 to make up a day's tlioimigh enjoyment, and it may .safely li : piciliutcd that fuw will return disippuintcd with their tup to Te Aroha.