THERMAL WONDERS

Auckland Star, Volume LXXI, Issue 196, 19 August 1940, Page 3

THERMAL WONDERS

PRESSMEN'S VISIT.

PARTY OF AMERICANS.

The main attractions of the thermal region were greatly admired and enjoyed by a party of six of the visiting American newspapermen who made a hurried trip to Rotorua on Saturday. Although they had little more than. a fleeting glimpse of the main show places the visitors were tremendously impressed with the wonders of the district, and surprised at finding such a modern township as Rotorua, set in the heart of the merging greens of forest, field and fern. The party reached Rotorua at 1.30 and after lunch at the Grand Hotel they set out for Whakarewarewa, accompanied by the Mayor of Rotorua, Mr. Thomas Jackson, and Mr. A. F. Moncur, M.P. for the district. Traditional Maori Welcome. They were welcomed at the Model Pa in traditional Maori style by a party of Maori women at the head of which was Chief Guide Rangi. Attired in their picturesque Maori dress the party performed the powhiri and a number of action songs. The visitors were delighted at the fine rhythm and harmony expressed by the performers. Personally conducted on a tour of the geyser valley by Rangi, the Americans were amazed at what they eaw, particularly the hot mud pools and the fact that there was so much growth so close to the boiling streams, pools and geysers. They spent some time in the new meeting house which is nearing completion, and showed great interest in the Maori carvings and wall decorations. All voted Whakarewarewa much better than Yellowstone National Park. After leaving Whakarewarewa the newspapermen were entertained at afternoon tea by the Mayor and Mayoress in the new municipal building, where they saw what they said was one of the most unique things in their lone travels—a natural heating system whereby the large building is heated internally from a mineral spring of 225 degrees beneath it. The party left Rotorua at 5 o'clock and were back in the city at 8.30. The beauty of the drive through the Waikato was much admired by -the Americans, who were struck by the richness of the country and the number of sheep, many with their early spring lambs in the green paddocks on both sides of the roads. "It's all so beautiful," said one of them, "You really have a marvellous country here." All expressed their regret that they were not able to make a tour through the Dominion and see many of the other beauty spots which they knew existed. Highlight of Trip. With the American visitors ,a highlight of the trip was at Cambridge. Just as the three cars containing the tourists turned off the main street on the way to Rotorua they met the members of the Waikato Hunt Club on their way to start their annual two days' meet. The master obligingly mustered the many riders across the roadway while the Americans took moving and still pictures with the baying hounds in front of the horses. It was a special treat for the visitors, none of whom had ever seen a hunt before.