AS OTHERS SEE US.

Auckland Star, Volume XLVII, Issue 68, 20 March 1916, Page 7

AS OTHERS SEE US.

MR WEBSTER ON TOUR. SOME FAREWELL WORDS. Interviewed by a "New Zealand Times" representative, Mr. Wibster, the Commonwealth Postmaster-General, made the following remarks: — "The trip on the main line from Wellington to Auckland by daylight is an education in itself) and no wonder Auckland spreads its plumes with prid.\ and feels that the future is assured. The countryside is Auckland's pride. Its hopes are centred there. "Proceeding to Rotorua, >ne rea';scd the varied composition of hill and vale, and the change in tree and fern, not to mention the earthy deposit which is freely bestowed on great or small ere you reach the centre of thermal activities. My stay was all too short to investigate the mysteries of this weird land. Strange must be the feelings of those who try to solve the problems. I left it to Guide Bob Inglis to explain the phenomena, and I felt quite safe in his keeping. He seems to know the cause and effect of every jet of steam, every boiling cauldron, scalding geyser, or bubbling pool of mud. It matters not whether the result be petrification, perforation, consolidation, or liquidation, Bob can explain them satisfactorily. If I had any doubts, MeCormack, of Frying-pan Flat, would have settled them; as it was, he merely corroborated his brother guide. It was unlucky for mc that the geyser would not work; nevertheless the region in which Mac works is weird enough to make him talk in strange language in the daytime. 1 hope he never wanders abroad at night, especially when the moon is full —don't risk it, Mac, on that weird and lonely track—another asset may be lost to New Zealand. Thc3e arc not the only guides, for there are some gay, a few grave, members of the Maori school so engaged, mostly women or girls. The latter seem popular, interesting, and, in a measure, instructive. The weather was warm, and rain was wanted to lay the dust and freshen up the foliage; nevertheless the lake trip, round trip, five-lakes trip, and Wairakei were crammed into my brief stay. Ench was interesting in its special features. I saw the volcano belching forth at 5 a.m. I saw the rapids above and below the lovely Huka Falls. I dined amidst the Gods of the Maoris at the Spa—a collection of great value and unique carving. I had the best bath 1 ever took at the Terraces at 5 a.m.—the iron bath, temperature about 00. and my last day I spent in the restful resort surrounding the Sanatorium, which was bedecked with flowers of the most varied and beautiful shades. Here the elderly folk took their leisure and rest, the younger their pleasure, and the soldiers able to leave their beautiful hospital sought that convalescence possible after their tr3'ing experiences on Gallipoli. j "We left for Taumarunui, and next ! morning proceeded to navigate the Wanganui River. The absence of rain makes navigation difficult. The trip from the houseboat to Pipiriki was delightful; Uie scenery at times was gorgeous, and though we had trouble at times with the ballbearings, still no one noticed it. the troubles were swept aside by the beautiful foliage, mosses nnd tree ferns. Such is a national asset to New Zealand, and destruction would be treason. This scenery should be preserved nt any cost. "The only feature I saw with regret was what I took to be the horni and hoofs of the American Beef Trust; it is establishing itself at Wanganui. Fabulous sums arc bcin% expended, nnd such savours of the "Trail of the Trust. I bopo I am wrong; if not, then I fear the stock raisers of New Zcalasd will realise how deceptive are the ways of 'man. and ever regret placing their trust in Trusts. Maybe you can control it; many have tried, but none succeeded. Wait and watch. "Adieu, kind friends, adieu."