EMPIRE PRESS DELEGATES

Evening Star, Issue 19026, 22 August 1925, Page 3

EMPIRE PRESS DELEGATES

- VISITORS TOUR ROTORUA DISTRICT

SOME COMG TO CHRISTCHURCH

[Per United Press Abrogation.]

ROTORUA, August 21

The Empire Press delegates yesterday had an uneventful run to Waiotapu, where light refreshments were served at the hotel.’ Wairakoi was readied afc 1 p.m., and lunch was immediately served. The arrangements were admirable. . After lunch the party, under a band of guides, visited the famous Wairakei Gevse.r Valley. Rain was falling at intervals, and the narrow space between the walls was lull of steam, making visibility extremely poor, in spite of "the somewhat depressing conditions overhead and the dampness underfoot, the party wore in very high spirits and deeply interested in the thermal displays" Unfortunately the great Champagne Cauldron was inaccessible owing to the recent eruptions, the wet weather having caused erosions cm the high hank that might have been dangerous with such a largo party in the event of a shot passing on to the platform above, an occurrence ot some frequency.

The guides explained the wonderful system of time-table kept by the geyser controlled in the valley, and with religious promptitude the geysers responded on time. The visitors were loud in their appreciation of the sights, and, undeterred by the increasing dampness that tilled the space as with a blanket, they made the whole round of sights. On. returning many went for a swim in the big hot swimming bath.

Alter dinner, though it was raining, the cars were marshalled up to the hotel door, and the party wore taken to see the great Kaiapiti blowhole the safety-valve of the North Island. Here for centuries a vast exhaust of superheated steam has poured out of a rift in the rocks under the lull with terrific force. Tiie guides lit kerosene Hares, and in the pitch dark night the billowing masses of snowy steam turned to every color ot the rose under the ruddy firelight. It was weirdly impressive, and the visitors were delighted. A few venturous spirits went on. to Huka Falls, now lit up by electricity. In the glow of the lamp the gloomy Waikato was steel blue, flecked with masses of snow-white foam. “It was well worth while,” was the general comment.

Social chat kept some of tho party tip till midnight. An early start was made tins morning, but tho _ weather was villainous, fog and falling rain making prospects doubtful. Ail the party are in excellent health and spirits save Mr H. Smiles ('Rangoon), who had the misfortune to slip, and sprained his wrist in avoiding the fall.

This morning, nt Wairnkei, the weather was abominable for sightseeing, heavy rain being continuous. Tho members of the party loft at S a.in. for Waiotapu, where they stayed for refreshments, and a general adjustment of tho party was effected. Some elected to journey direct to Rotorua. Most, however, made tho trip to Waimangu. After tea the bulk of the party returned to Rotorua.

Lord and Lady Burnham, Lady Newnes, Mr E. Woodhead, Mr L. K. Freeman (special correspondent with the American fleet), Mr Berry (New Zealand Newspapers’ Proprietary representative), Mr B. Wilson (Tourist Department representative), under the guidance of Guido Warbrick, made the round trip. The visitors were delighted with the experience. Waimangu basin was tin awe-inspiring spectacle. Special close-up views were taken of the steaming cliffs and active geysers. The, shores of Rotomahana and Tarawera were partly shrouded with mist;. Ford Burnham, Lady Burnham, Lady Newnes, and party took very keen interest, making many notes and inquiries on thermal activities. Special thanks were given to Guido Warbrick for a history and description of the Tarawera eruption and the destruction of tiie Pink and White Terraces. New developments owing to the rise of tho level of Lake Rotomahana excited interest and comment. Lady Burnham and Lady Newnes faced the wet with great cheerfulness. They stated that of all their travels this was the most wonderful experience of a country in the making. They would not have missed it for worlds.

Lord Burnham said it was tiie travel experience of a lifetime. Ho would make his experience of the trip known to the world.

At Tarawera after tho launch trip the guide was warmly thanked, and the hope expressed that some day he would visit England as their guest and tell the people of tiie great sights seen by the party that day. Lady Newnes, after tea at Wairoa, was shown the trout in Wairoa Stream. Tiie party also visited the Green and Bine Lakes.

Returning to the Grand Hotel tiie party engaged in baths and swimming and therapeutics. Interviewed afterwards, Lord Burnham said they had been overwhelmed by tho kindness and consideration shown every member of the party by the Government and citizens. The transport arrangements were splendid, but the roads could stand mending, lie would never forget his visit or tho magnificence of tho reception by the Arawa tribe. Every member of tho party endorsed _ this, the ladies being most enthusiastic.

Lady Burnham added that the party enjoyed every minute of the visit to this wonderful country and the charming people. She hoped to visit New Zealand again. She would recommend all her friends to visit llotorua. The British representatives are sending very full accounts to the Brcss in the Homeland. They are mailing many inquiries in regard to land settlement questions. A delegation from the Empire Conference party will visit Christchurch early next week. MrErcderick .Migginbottom, of the Loudon ‘Daily Chronicle,’ and Mr E. Woodlicad, editor of the Huddersfield ‘ Examiner,’ will at their own request detach themselves from the main party at Wellington in order to obtain an impression of the South Island and its important industries, and to convey the greetings of the Empire Press delegation to the South Island. It has been a matter of regret by Lord Burnham and his colleagues that an itinerary could not be arranged that would have enabled' the whole party to visit Christchurch, and perhaps Dunedin. Mr Higginbottom is parliamentary and political correspondent of the ‘ Daily Chronicle,’ and has been associated with parliamentary journalism most of his working life. Ho is, in fact, the oldest practising journalist in the delegation, having just completed his journalistic jubilee. Mr Woodhead runs him close, having spent forty-eight years in the profession. Mr Higginbottom was formerly for some years editor of the ‘ Pall Mall Gazette,’ and has always taken a special interest in affairs. “I am going to Christchurch,” he said in an interview yesterday, “in order to aemiaint myself with the economic conditions of tins important area of the dominion. I should regard my education regarding the conditions of Now Zealand as imperfect if I did not see something of the land from _ which Great Britain draws such an important part of her food supplies, and in which I shall hope to see reproduced some of the best traditions of the Mother Country physically and intellectually. As a churchman I shall be keenly interested in the great settlement promoted originally by my co-religionists, and I shall look with confidence to a revelation of its beneficent influence upon the spiritual and material welfare of the people.” Mr Higginbottom will probably arrive

in Christchurch on Tuesday, and it is possible that Mr Woodhead will arrive at the same time, and their stay will extend until Wednesday night.

Sir Enisloy Carr and Lady Carr, Sir Frank Newnes and Lady Newnos, are also going to Christchurch,