SEEING THE COUNTRY

Hawera Star, Volume XLVIII, 9 January 1925, Page 4

SEEING THE COUNTRY

BUSINESS MEN’S TOUR

CLAIMS OF TARANAKI.

The claims of Taranaki are being urged upon a party of Wellington business men who aim to undertake an educative tour of the southern half of the North Island early in March. The tentative itinerary excludes this province altogether; but Mr E. Dixon, president of the Hawera Chamber of Commerce, is getting into touch with Mr H. D. Bennett, president of the Wellington Chamber, and offering alternative suggestions as to the route which the party could take. The idea of'the tour is " that the party shall consist of some 25 business men,' accompanied by representatives of the Departments of Industries and Commerce, Tourist Resorts, Railways, and Public Works. Particular attention will be devoted to the various hydro-electric enterprises, railway development, harbour works, industries and undeveloped resources. It is proposed to begin with a railway iourney to Napier, via the Manawatu" Gorge. During the second day agricultural, pastoral and fruitgrowing districts of Hawke’s Bay would be traversed. Lake Waikaremoana would be the main objective on the third day. The fourth, fifth and sixth days would be spent principally in the poverty Bay and Bay of Plenty districts, where the visitors would see interesting stages of railway and harbour works, maize and citrus fruit country, and the Rangitaiki swamp reclamation. On the seventh day the party would be in Rotorua, and would move on to Tatipo during the afternoon. Next day the hydro-electric works at Arapuni would be inspected, and the evening would be passed in Hamilton. The dairying industry of the Waikato, the Ruakura State Farm, and the Waitomo Caves would be the main attractions for the ninth day. On the tenth day members of the party could return to Wellington from Te Kuiti by the Main Trunk express, or go on to Taumarunui for a~ steamer trip down the Wanganui river to Pipiriki, thence by a new road via Raetihi to Wanganui, where they would catch a train to Wellington. This side-trip through the famous Wanganui country would take two days. Mr Dixon, when a Star reporter saw him this morning, indicated that he was suggesting certain variations of the draft itinerary to enable members of the Wellington‘party to include the scenic and agricultural attractions of Taranaki in their travels. Later in the morning Mr. Dixon was able to get in touch with the president of the New Plymouth Chamber of Commerce • and now the two bodies will unite in-making representations to the Wellington Chamber.