A TRIP TO THE COUNTRY

Dominion, Volume 19, Issue 118, 12 February 1926, Page 10

A TRIP TO THE COUNTRY

NAVAL VISITORS ENTERTAINED

■AN. INTERESTING OUTING

? The excursion into the country arranged by Mr. W. H. Field, M.P., for the captain and officers of the Cassiopee j'for Wednesday proved most interesting -.•and enjoyable, notwithstanding the dull and misty weather. The party consisted, in addition to Mr. Field, of the „■ captain and four officers of tire sloop, and Mr. E. Gilbertson. The cars left ' .Wellington soon after 9 a.m., and proceeded by way of the Ngahauranga Gorge and main road to Otaki. A short stop was made on the top of the Paekakariki Hill, 900 feet, from which the visitors enjoyed an extensive though somewhat misty view. On arriving at ' .Waikanae, Mr. Field conducted the party through one of his bush reserves, a fine . example of the seaside forest of New Zealand, and containing fine specimens of kohekohe (mahogany family), nikau, tawa, pukatea, rewarewa, karaka, tarata, mamaku tree ferns, and other forest’ ’growth. ') The party were shown, too, ■ an excellent specimen of kahikatea (white pine) in this reserve. After morning • tea, provided by Mrs. E. Wootton, an 'inspection was made of some of Mr. Field’s stud Southdowns, including a fine ram, imported from His Majesty the King's flock at Sandringham. At Te Moana Road, at Waikanae, the party turned off the main road to see the karaka groves and other native trees, and then proceeded to the beach. . Mr. Field explained the seaside sand-binding plants and their functions, and showech .'how he had been able to convert large areas of drifting sands into excellent farm land by suitable planting. Passing on to Otaki, the strangers were very interested in Mr. A. A. Browns fyie flax swamps, and regretted there, was no time to call at the mill and witness the process ,of hemp manufacture. On arriving at Otaki, the party were met by the Mayor (Mr. J. P. Brandon) ,and other Otaki residents, and were suitably welcomed and entertained. The ■'cars drove on through the town to the old Maori Church, outside of which a group of Ngatiraukawa Natives welcomed the party, the chief spokesman 'being Rota Rawiri. Several young .Natives who had fought in France were introduced. An inspection was then made of the church, with its massive totara pillars and superbly carved altar rails and other examples of Maori'art. The next stop was for lunch at the kiosk, Otaki Beach. The Mayor presided. In proposing the health of the visitors, Mr. Field spoke of the pleasure It gave New Zealanders to welcome and entertain representatives of the great French nation. The war and the fact that so many of our brave soldier dead lay in French soil have brought us very close friendship, said Mr. Field, who added that one of the ■ reasons for the outing that, day was that many visitors to New Zealand did not see enough of its rural districts, with their interesting scenic spots and industrial activities. Captain Decoux, in responding, expressed his thanks to both pakehas and Maoris for their welcome, and the delight the visitors had experienced at all they had seen. After -lunch the beach was visited and then the Otaki convent, where the visitors -were welcomed and entertained by two of their countrymen, Fathers Melu and Vibaud. Afterwards an adjournment was made to the sanatorium, where Matron Pownell conducted the party through the buildings.. The cars then sped south on the return journey by way of Rikiorangi, the Akatarawa Valley, and Upper Hutt. Before reaching the saddle, which is about 1600 feet high, drizzling rain began to fall, which rather spoilt the view of the fine native forest on either side of the saddle on this picturesque road. Upper Hutt was reached soon after 5, and the city at about 6 o’clock.

Though the weather conditions left much to be desired, the visitors expressed themselves as having thoroughly enjoyed themselves and of having been much interested in all they saw. ■