SCENIC GRANDEUR.

Auckland Star, Volume LXIV, Issue 16, 20 January 1933, Page 5

SCENIC GRANDEUR.

MILFORD EXCURSION. I TRIP BY WANGANELLA. FIORD COUNTRY VISITED. (By Telegraph.—Press Association.) - WELLINGTON, this day. Breaking into her maiden trip in the intercolonial passenger service the Huddart-Parker motor vessel Wanganella left on Monday 011 an excursion to Milford Sound and returned to Wellington early this morning. Over 300 passengers, mostly Australians, made the trip. The weather was not all it might have been, but cleared at convenient intervals, and the passengers were able to observe practically all the points of interest en route. The Wanganella left Wellington at 4 p.m. 011 Monday. Milford Sound was I reached early on Wednesday morning, and in the dawn the mist-covered hills presented a remarkable and impressive scene. Cloud and mist gradually lifted, and by the time the narrow entrance had been negotiated, 4500ft 1 rock faces, towering over the sound, presented ample scope. for the use of many cameras. Echo Effects. On entering the fiord, the Wanganella made frequent use of her siren, and a number of rockets were sent aloft, producing remarkable echo effects. Having I reached the head of the sound, the Wanganella spent tlie day opposite Bowen Falls. Passengers went to the Milford .Hostel by launches, and many proceeded up •- Arthur River to Sandfly Huts,' a-'-M . continued along the track to Lake" Ada, "through which the Arthur River flows. Some went on by foot to tUe Giant's Gate Falls, -while others travelled across Lake Ada and some distance over the upper section of Arthur River by boat. The shore parties returned late in the afternoon to the Wanganella, which thereupon, sailed out of tie sounds, and

as darkness fell the heavily-fiorded coastline was left behind. Views of Coast. At dawn yesterday the vessel was travelling through Karamea Bight, and those on board were afforded opportunity of viewing that portion of the South Island coast Which had. been passed in the darkness on the way south. The Australian visitors, in particular, were impressed by the scenic grandeur of the West Coast and sound. Mount Cook, which presented itself to view in its full splendour on the way south, was an item of great interest. The forest scenery, which abounds oil the "wonder walk," was also the subject of many laudatory comments. The Wanganella, which is commanded by Captain G. B. Bates, was piloted through the Milford Sound by Captain C. F. Post, for many years master of the Government steamers Hinemoa and Tutanekai.