A HOLIDAY TRIP TO WELLINGTON'S WONDERLAND.

Evening Post, Volume XLVIII, Issue 140, 12 December 1894, Page 3

A HOLIDAY TRIP TO WELLINGTON'S WONDERLAND.

♦ TO THK EDITOE. Sib — As the Christmas and summer holidays are approaohing, may I again through your columns suggest to yonr readers that this year those of them who are going away for a trip should visit Wellington's Wonderland. Instead of going to the Hot or Cold Lakes, or the Sounds, an equally delightful trip can be made within the borders of our Wellington Province. A train journey to Ohingaiti, on the North Island Trunk Railway, is a pleasant start. A delightful, easy, coach journey noxt day throngh new country lands the traveller in the middle of Inland Patea, with fino views of distant Mount Egmont, and near viewß of Ruapehu, Ngaruhoe, and Tongariro. An easier coach journey ■ the next day takes the traveller past these three mighty mountains, aoross the famous Onetapu Desert, past tho Kaimanawa marshes to Tokaano.atthe south-west corner of Lake Taupo, where the traveller can refresh him or herself in the invigorating hot springs. A week spent at this place would be a week of delight, so fresh, so varied, so new are tbe sights. The journey back is easy to Karioi, thence by coach to Pipiriki, skirting the famous Waimarino Blook, and throngh the finest bushroad scenery in New Zealand. A sixhours' steam throngh the renowned scenery of the Wanganui Rivor lands one at the town of that name. This journey all through is easy — any lady can travel it. Tho accommodation is good, if not luxurious. The stages are light. The country travelled throngh most interesting, as witness this list -. — The cultivated Manawatn and Eangitikei, the wild bnsh scenery beyond, the towering papa oliffs of the Rangitikei River, the cinder cone of Ngaruhoe always steaming, the hot springs ot Takaano, Lake Taupo itself, which Bidwill, tbe great traveller, called one «f the noblest in tbe world, beautiful Lake Roto-aira, tho marvellous canyons of Mangatote and Manganui -te • ao, tho woodland glories of the Waimarino, the unique Waihi Falls, the site of the pah where To Heu Heu (the great chief) and his warriors wore engulfed in boiling mud, delightful novelties 4n the volcanic distriot, boating on Lake Taupo along its massive western cliffs, canoaing if ifbirwished all down the river

Wanganui. There is not another trip in Now Zealand like it. The cost is rather I less than that of the others. Will your readers try it ? I am, &c, A. K. Njswman.

Of 148 passengers from Australia by tho Hauroto this afternoon, 89 landed at Wellington. Mr James Smith (Te Aro House) and his daughter, who havo been on a visit to England, returned by the Hauroto. A c officer of H.M S. Royalist who has laid up in Sydney also camo over, to rejoin his own ship. It is to be hoped that amongst all the donations and supplies for Christmas that are being so generously given by the charitable public of Wellington, the Hospital will not be forgotten. It has been the delight of numbers in this city to minister every festivo season to thoßO who aro lying si ok in the institution, and any grants that may bo mado will be most thankfully received by the Hospital authorities. The following additional subscriptions have boen received for tho Wairarapa Belief fund :-Kaiwaiwai School, 3s lid; collooted at Groytown, £5 7s 3d. Total, £2068 163 2d. Postmasters were recently supplied by the Public Trust Office with forms of application, Ac, for loans under the Advances to Settlers Act, 10,000 of these haying been printed for the purpose. Though only a few days have elapsed a number of postmasters have telegraphed that their supplies are already exhausted, and it has becomo necessary to double the stationery order to the Government Printing Office, and have 20,000 of these forms for isßue. Already between 500 and 600 applications for loans have reached the Pablio Trustee, and the Lending Board will meet to consider these next week. The work before the Board at this its first meeting will be so heavy that it is expected it will be required to sit continuously for at least a week. So far, only two additions have been made to the Public Trust Head Office staff in consequence of the new work, but the Department has completely outgrown its present premises, and farther expansion is prevented bjr want of room. A site will have to be obtained and new premises built if the Department is to do the increased work put upon it. Forms of company statements and certificates of finauoial stability for tbe Fnblic Trostre under the Foreign Insurance Companies' Deposits Act, are to appear in this week's Gazette. The Public Trustee has been placed in a peculiar position under the Foreign Insurance Companies' Deposit Aots of last session. Before a -company can carry on business, ho must givo a certificate that it is financially sound and stable. This certificate does not apply to its position in New Zealand alono, but to tho soundness of its position all over the world. Of courso, it is impossible for the Public Trustee to ascertain this, and if he declines to givo a oortificato under such circumstances he can be moved by the Courts to do so. If he then says he did not do so because he considered the company was or might be unsound, he immediately lays himself open to the bigge3t sort of action for slander damages. And if he gives a certificate of soundness the company is bound to advertise it all over tho world, and the more unsound tho company the more use it will make of the certificate. And then, if it should burst up after tho Trnst" o has cortiBed that it is sounds where will ho be as regards the duped investors and insurers ? The following tondeis were received by the Melroso Borough Council for widening portions of the Islaud Bay main road: — John Fryer and Wm Short (accepted), .£65 ; R. Perrett, X7l 9s ; Joseph Daly, JE77 18s ; 3. Hickey & Co., £85 9s ; Tbos. Boyce, .£95 ; J. Smith, £99. The Seatoun Road Board received the following tenders for metalling roads on Watts' Peninsula in three sections : — S. Mason & Co. (informal), .£65 7s 6d; 0. Hickey and M. Fanl, .£63 12a : J. Pudney, £79 2s Gd; John Kelliher, £98 2s Gd. It was decided to proceed with only two sections at present, the tender of Hiokey and Faul at .£44 17s Gd being accepted for sections 1 and 2. Court Sir George Grey, A 0.P., met last svening, Bro. W. Knapp, 0.X., presiding. &.B the next meeting would fall on Christmas Day, it was decided to hold it on Friday, 31st inst. The following nominations were received for officers : — C.B , Bros. K. Tuckey »nd H. Page; 5.C.8., Broß. H.,Page and T. Keys ; S.W., Bros. J. Robertson and T. Keys ; J.W., Bros. J Robertson and T. Keys ; 5.8., Bros. K. Brewer and TV. Harlan ; J. 8., Bro. \V. Keys ; M.S , Bros. J. Mumford, W. Knapp, and J. Sargeant. A number of Foresters from H.M.S. Royalist wero present, and at the conclusion of the meeting Bro. D. Skinner, P.D.C.R., presided over a " social " held in their honour. Tbe John Knox Lodge, Protestant Alliance Friendly Society, held its quarterly meeting last evening, Bro. P. Watt, W.M., presiding. Ono new member was initiated the fourth for the quarter. Tho roll now numbers over 60 members. Hros. Luko and Watt were chosen as delegates to the Grand Council to be held at tho Thames in March next. On the question of the removal of the Grand lodge from tho Thames to a moro central position (for instance to Wellington), two letters from Southern lodges were received stating that the cost of sending delegates to the Thames is more than Southern lodges con afford. The medical coupon systom was discussed, and postponed until next meeting. The officers for the enFuing term were installed as follows : — W.M., Bro. G. J. C. Parker; D.M., Bro. Isaacs; Chaplain, Bro. H. J. Bodgers; Secretary, Bro. G. W. Moorhens© (reeleoted); Treasurer, Bro. B. W. G. Burn ; S E.. Bro. W. Durrant j J.E., Bro. J. Reid ; 1.G., Bro. L. Dixon. The receipts of the evening amounted to .£22. P.M. Bro. Bnrn noted as installing officer. The lodge adjourned for one month, on account of the holidays. Before dispersing, members partook of refreshments provided 'ly Bro. Bodgers. \ At a meeting of tho Committee of the Festival Choral Sooiety held last evening, it was decided to hold a meeting of tbe chorus and orchestra on Friday ovenicg, for the purpose of the olection of officers and consideration of rules. Thk Xrnas presents are making things hum at C. Smith's, the Cash Draper, Cuba-street. Kver since starting tho gifts the shop and showroom have beon daily thronged with buyers, all expressing themselves delighted with the gifts and the value they have received. This week 100 ladies' fashionable drill costumes will be offered very cheap, viz., 12s 6d, 15s 6d, 17a 6d, 20s, worth twice the money. Also a cheap line of 250 children's blouses and overalls, usual price 5s 6d to 10s 6d, reduced to 2s lid, 3s lid, 4s 6d. Remember, every buyer of 10s and.over will reoeive a present. — Advt. Par continuation oj reaaxng matter see fourth vane.