"MYSTERY HIKE.".

Auckland Star, Volume LXIII, Issue 234, 3 October 1932, Page 5

"MYSTERY HIKE.".

TWO TRAINS FROM AUCKLAND TWELVE HUNDRED PEOPLE. Pino weather yesterday attracted the record number of 1200 people to the "mystery hike" arranged by the Railway Department and the third excursion was by far the most successful to date. At a quarter-past nine yesterday morning, two hea,vily-laden trains pulled out from the Auckland station and picked up passengers along the North line until Sunnyvale was reached. There the trampers alighted and, after lunching in the picturesque surroundings of the Ferndalo picnic ground, hiked back to Henderson, where they joined the train again for Auckland. i Those who took part in yesterday's tramp voted it the best excursion to date. The distance was just under seven miles, but the energetic ones went another two miles to Dreamlands Road, a beautiful walk among kauri, rimu, totaVa, matapau and rata trees, with their vastness relieved by the glorious flowering clematis and kowhai. The Eerndale picnic ground was a joyous scene at luncheon time. Many bathed in the swimming pool formed by the creek which runs through the property. Those who went along the Dreamlands Road were rewarded by beautiful views of the Auckland Harbour. Through the native bush came the call of the tui, which was answered in the distance by the bellbird. An old lady of 70 completed the sevenmile tramp, and three men of over 70 also took part. Splendid arrangements had been made by the Department, one of the features being the co-operation with the Transport Board, which enabled suburban trampers to get home comfortably. Another "mystery hike" has been arranged for October 16.

OUTING TINT THE WAIKATO. WALK TO OKAUIA HOT SPRINGS. (By Telegrapfi.—Own Correspondent.) HAMILTON, Sunday. The second "mystery train" in the Waikato carried approximately 200 trampers yesterday from Frankton to Matamata. In ideal weather the excursionists walked four and a half miles to the scenic Okauia Hot Springs, where the two bathing pools on the banks of the Waihou River proved very popular. The party rejoined the train at Matamata for the return journey to Hamilton.