THE 3LO GIRL

Evening Star, Issue 19519, 29 March 1927, Page 2

THE 3LO GIRL

broadcasts from Melbourne CHAM WITH HEW ZEALAND Miss Eileen Harper, the “ 3LO Girl,” who spent six weeks in New Zealand recently, broadcast from 3LO Melbourne on her return to that city. She said; — “How do you do, everybody? It seems no time since I said ‘ Good-bye ’ at 3LO, although since that night I, have had six crowded weeks of every pleasure and enjoyment that could delight a girl’s heart, including a first glimpse of the Duke and Duchess of York at Rotorua, where my chaperon and I were the wcllentertained guests of Arawa House. “ New Zealand was a fairy godmother to me—happiness simply rained upon me there. From the time the boat arrived at Invercargill the Government Tourist Department took me under its wing and arranged programme after programme for my entertainment, which, however, proved somewhat strenuous, and, to my great disappointment, some of the items had to be cancelled.

“The White Star Tourist Services, Ltd., a linked service of the leading motor people throughout the two islands, provided the most luxurious transport for us everywhere, and commencing at Queenstown, the jewel of the dominion, the long_ drives through the undreamt-of beauties of the New Zealand scenery were made oven more enthralling by onr hosts’ interesting and intimate knoivledge of the wonders passed, and quaint legends of the still, blue lakes dreaming for miles along the base of the giant, blue-misted raouutains witli their herds of chamois and wild goats. I shall never forget the divine blueness of the lakes—deep, rich, glorious, yet clear enough to reveal the huge trout revelling in the depths below. What wonderful drives we went, winding around the mountains for hours and hours, with often but a blade of grass between us and perdition “As guests of the-up-to-date luxurious Hermitage, wo spent several jolly days among the glaciers and snowcapped mountains of Mount Cook, where winter sports can be enjoyed all through the year.

“Another delightful experience was our trip to the famous Caves, visited by over 3,000 tourists every month, where the glowworms specially jptrigued our interest. As our little boat crept silently along, their grotto seemed a fairy ballroom with its myriad lights reflected in the glassy floor of the still river. “ Then came journeys through the rich vegetation of cool valleys with their emerald rivers of unknown depths and thrilling falls and rapids. Then the boiling mud pools, where the mud popped up like glaring, _ winking, evil eyes, or jumped about like leaping frogs, and tho bubbling geysers churned angrily, then spouted their fury in tremendous boiling fountains, while the gentle Maoris lived close by, unmindful and unheeding. “Each of the four big cities seemed to have its individual charm. We noted the stately structural _ beauties of the Scots’ own town, Dunedin, and the calm, dignified, typically English atmosphere of Christchurch, where we were the happy guests of Warners’ splendid hotel. At Wellington, where we were entertained by the Royal Oak Hotel, we were impressed by the life and bustle of the city, and its picturesque surroundings; while Auckland is undoubtedly the wonder city of the dominion. The Grand Hotel entertained us there, and we had two whole days in which to absorb the beauties of the harbor, the panoramic view from' Alount Eden—recognised as one of the loveliest in the world—the fine residential areas, the crowded shops, and last of all the busy port ns we steamed away upon our journey home. ‘ ‘ Such wonderful hospitality was shown to us, and we made heaps of friends. The Tourist Department arranged the most splendid accommodation everywhere, and tho hour of departure from each place came to bo a time of dread.

“It has all been so happy. I shall never forget my gratitude to 3LO for giving mo such a glorious opportunity; but although it was a wrench to leave Now Zealand and realise I was just an ordinary, everyday girl once more, I must admit it is indeed good to bo borne again among my people and ray friends. “Good night, good-bye, and my grateful thanks to all those who havo been so good to me.”