BEAUTIFUL TIRITEA

Dominion, Volume 19, Issue 79, 28 December 1925, Page 4

BEAUTIFUL TIRITEA

EXCELLENT CAMPING

FACILITIES

AN ATTRACTION OF PALMERSTON NORTH

A refreshing, invigorating and soothing atmosphere pervades the beautiful Tiritea Valley, to which many picnickers will wend their way during the holidays. On Christmas Day it was a little surprising that more Palmerston people did not seek enchantment—for nothing less could it bound quiet iu these delightful surround ings. Most people are doubtless aware of the scenic beauties which exist on the outskirts of the town on the southern side of the Manawatu River, but perhaps many do not realise the splendour of the scenery on the other side of this treacherous stream .Crossing the bridge at the foot of I'itzherbert Street by motor-car, one speeds along a fairly good road for some distance, all the while admiring the undulating country that meets the eye from every point. “Whv,” said one of the pastengers, “we hardly encountered a single incline—certainly not a hill—in our tour round those beauteous spots on the other side of the river, and now we have hills as far as the eye can see.” The contrast in the two classes of country is rather remarkable one is as Hat' as a billiard table and the other quite the opposite. On the town side of the Manawatu there is the dairying laud and on the other the sheep country. However, although there was much of interest all around, the magnificence of the trip was yet in store an< onward sped the car. Variety was given the tour by the undulating road with ragged country on either side. Shortly before reaching the actual Tiritea Valley a good stretch of road was covered; nearby the shade of the weeping willows aiid the whole surroundings made it hard to realise that oulv a few miles separated such innumerable points of interest from the town of Palmerston North. lhen came the trip through, the valley—a veritable little gorge—with the Tiritea stream below. A winding road enabled the car to reach the scene ot an excellent camping ground. No area could lend itself better for the purpose. Here was to be found an open space for fires with fireplaces provided, several . patches of native trees between which tents could casilv be erected, whilst within a stone’s throw ran a gentle brook, supplying an abundance of fresh water for drinking purposes, sufficient depth and separate spots to enab e one to bathe. A little farther on there were to be found even greater charms After leaving the camp area and pass-in-T through the council’s gate, a wellgraded track takes one through . the magnificent native bush in its virgin state. Nowhere could more glorious surroundings be found at such distance from a town centre. minutes’ walk through this bush finds one in front of a huge weir-a wall behind which there. is an enormous pressure. The Tiritea reservoir i. ahead. After a scramble up the clitt, behind the concrete structure one views a great expanse of J' at f :r c down the overflow—constructed as a fish ladder—falls in a series of stages a torrent of water. On the dam are th- words: “This wall was completed March, 1907—Mayor, M. Cohen, and follow a list of names ot councillors then in office. An inspection of Palmerston North’s abundant water supply the “Tiritea dam falls, and the beauties of their situation, provide one of the most instructive and pleasant trips that could be desired, and were these beauty spots better known no doubt during the holidays nearly all roads would lead to . Tiritea.. 3 hose desiring a day’s outing during their vacation or a week’s camping near the town should find the locality .an ideal one from every respect, including accessibility.