TOURISTS LIKE N.Z.

Press, Volume LXX, Issue 21087, 12 February 1934, Page 10

TOURISTS LIKE N.Z.

♦ LURLINE'S PASSENGERS IMPRESSIONS OF THE NORTH. ITRB VRXaS Bp«d*J Serrie*.] AUCKLAND, February 11. The Lurline sailed for Sydney today. Among those who left Auckland by her were the Duchess of Northumberland and her two daughters, the Lady Elizabeth and the Lady Diana Percy. The Duchess was joined on the arrival of the Lurline by her son. the Duke of Northumberland, and his travelling companion, Colonel Henslowe. The whole party left by car for Taupo on Friday morning, returning in the carlv hours of this morning, after visiting Taupo, Wairakei, and Rotorua. , . The Duchess said that her lew hours in New Zealand had been a delight from start to finish. She had enjoyed an hour's fishing on the lake at Taupo, and herself had caught the only trout landed by the partv, a fine fish weighing 411b. She described Taupo as "an entrancing spot,"' and said that Wairakei had exceeded all her expectations. On the way back to Auckland the party stopped at Rotorua ana visited Whakarewarewa. Later they were entertained at a private Maori concert. The Duchess said that she had been greatly impressed by the dignified bearing and beautiful speech of the Maoris. Trip by Air The members of the tourist party, which left by a special train for Rotorua on Friday morning returned on Saturday evening, and spoke in glowing terms of their trip. Munv of them chartered special cars early this morning to make a sightseeing tour of the city. Among those who were most delighted with New Zealand were 12 men and women, who on Saturday flew to Rotorua in the monoplane Southern Cross, piloted by Sir Charles Kingsford-Smith. They left Auckland about 11.30 a.m., and "landed at Rotorua about 1 p.m., having.run out of rain shortly after leaving Auckland. They spent about five hours in Rotorua, visiting Whakarewarewa, the Hamurana Fairy Springs, Ohinemutu, and the Government grounds. The return Might, which commenced at 5.50 p.m.. was made in just more than an hour. One of the party, Mr W. E. Byberg, of Salt Lake City, said that he had to come all the way to New Zealand to make his first aeroplane flight. "It was an experience 1 would not have missed for worlds," he said. "It was a privilege to be flown by a man like Sir Charles Kingsford-Smith, and that made the trip all the more interesting. As lor Rotorua itself, it was great£