VICE-REGAL TOUR

Evening Star, Issue 20688, 10 January 1931, Page 13

VICE-REGAL TOUR

LORD BLEDISLOE'S TRIP TO WAIPORE THROUGH BUSH-CLAD GORGE AND SMILING FIELDS TAIERI FARMS AND AERODROME VISITED For two or three blade Fours yesterday morning it looked as though watery weather conditions were going to play havoc with the programme arranged for the entertainment of the Governor-General (Lord Bledisloe). A motor trip to Waipori and home via farms of the Taieri Plain and the aerodrome had been set down as the day s outing. It can be readily understood, therefore, that the heavy and persis-' lent rain that fell during the earlier part of the morning imparted to an out-of-doors trip such as this a prospective aspect which was by no means enticing Fortunately, however, it transpired that the Otago storm clouds were merely teasing the doubting mortals below, and the members of the party had every reason to applaud the final decision to oai"y on according to plan. After a little over half an hour’s delay at the Town Hall the convoy ol cars—six of them—filed away up Stuart street, ran down into the Kaikorai Valley, and set out along the North Taieri road. His Excellency was accompanied by Sir John Hanham and the mayor (Mr R. S. Black), while others among the party were the mayoress (Mrs R. S. Black), Crs J. B: Shacklock (chairman of the Electric Power and Lighting Committee), F. W.. Mitchell, Wilson, Campbell, and Messrs M. C. Henderson (city electrical engineer), S. G. M'Donald (representing the Town Hall staff). A. C. Cameron (president of the Chamber of Commerce and secretary of the Farmers’ Union), G. J. Errington (president of the Expansion League), and A. Eccles. In addition to the mayoress a _ number of other ladies were also with tho_ was unfortunate that an indisposition should have prevented Lady Bledisloe from making the trip. When the "highest point of the North Taieri road was reached an encouraging patch of blue sky was observed in the south-west. This expanded so rapidly that it seemed no time before the sim was sinning with the kindliness that had been hoped for, and during the rest of the day the welcome brightness of fair weather held atmospheric sway. Indeed, the few hours of soaking rain that preceded the departure proved to be an advantage, for dust, the bane of motorists following closely upon one another, had been effectively allayed, and so there was no choking torment to mar the enjoyment of the tourists.

His Excellency, ever interested in matters of municipal enterprise, was given a fine view of the afforestation areas or. the Silver-stream slopes of the hill. The run across the fertile district of West Taieri was also very much to his liking. However, it was not until the bush-clad Waipori Gorge was reached that a type of rural beauty peculiar to New Zealand was revealed to him. For all participants in the trip the winding run up the river to the township was a delightful experience. Freshened by_ the morning rain, the hillsides on either side of the stream provided native bush scenery of rare seenio chax-m, and it is certain that many of the party would have liked to linger a while and feast the eyes at leisure on the evergreen loveliness of it all.

But time was pressing. There was much else to be seen. And lunch at Waipori was awaiting the now peckish sightseers. The midday meal, served in the big hall, was a gastronomic pleasantry, in the preparation of which nothing had been left to chance. Shortly after leaving the township the line of cars ascended the steep road leading on to Lake Mahinerangi and breasted the summit to find itself spinning along a plateau of rolling tussock country. A scenic contrast was here completed—a contrast which could not possibly have been lost upon the least worthy of Nature lovers. Industry as usual was tho order of things at the hydro-electric headworks. The orderly array of small corrugated dwellings was deserted, tho men being engaged upon the multitudinous tasks associated with tho big enterprise on hand. Naturally enough, the construction of the big new dam oc cupied concentrated attention, and the visitors were given an insight into one of the latest methods of concreting. By means of mechanical contrivances quite beyond a layman’s powers of description, the _ binding substance of the tall harrier was being swung out in large buckets along overhead wires and lowered out of sight to its depository. Tho stay at the headworks was all too short/ but there were further diversions in store. After, an unbroken run down tho gorge the trippers wore taken to two farms on tho Taien Plains, which afforded the GovernorGeneral a welcome opportunity of studying dairying and agricultural conditions in this province. The first of these was the property of Mr James Hamilton, of Leo Greek. Here a pedestrian deviation was made into rich pastures, where a herd of prolific milkers were browsing. Mr Hamilton’s cows, among which is ono that gave about 5001 b of butter-fat last season, and another which now yields seven gallons of milk daily, have made him ono of the most successful dairy farmers in Otago and Southland; therefore a place no more suitable than his could have been chosen for the purpose of imparting local knowledge ol dairying to His Excellency. 2he second ' farm at which a call was made was that of Mr W. I. Nichol. who had many smiling agricultural acres through which to conduct the intensely - interested Governor - General and his party. , . , r . , Before returning homo via Mosgiel and Green Island tho sightseers were driven to the Otago Aero Club’s flying field at North Taieri. Having been welcomed by the club’s resident tutorpilot (Flying-officer Olsen), Mr A. H. Allen (vice-president), Mr H. L. iaCerson, and Mr E. 11. Hope, the visitors were served in tho aerodrome with a refreshing cup of afternoon tea. 'Chen a sortie was made on to the Ilyin"' ground, where the three trim Gipsv Moths belonging to the club were'" standing in line, wings folded. Accompanied by Sir John Hanhain, Mr Olsen went for a short flight in lus favourite Moth, the silvery sheen ot the plane showing out with striking effect in the rays of tho evening sun. Finally, as an entertaining climax to a satisfying dav, the pilot went up alone, and, despite a rather “ bumpy ” atmosphere, treated the visitors to a spectacular exhibition ot aerial acrobatics. Lord Bledisloe, whose second son is an experienced and most capable airman, is keenly interested in all aspects of aviation, and in reply to an address of welcome given on the ground bv Air Allen lie said he realised that ho was viewing an efficient .air port, offering tho young men of Dunedin, with tho assistance of an invaluable instructor in the person of Fly-

ing-officer Olsen, every opportunity of gaining experience. He had reason to believe that the club, with its Moth planes, its instructor, and its admirable and rather expensive ground, would point the way in the progress of aviation in this countrv. Prior to leaving the aerodrome. His Excellency added to his already largo store of snapshots by photographing Sir John Hanham. Mr Olsen, tho mayor, and Mr Allen, the group standing fctside the plane on which, the afternoon’s flights had been made. TO-DAY’S OUTING. The only engagement arranged for the Vice-regal visitors to-day was 4 trip to the Portobello fish hatchery with the Hon. G. M. Thomson. Their Excellencies leave for Gore and Invercargill on Monday.