A “PERFECT DAY” IN TARANAKI

Hawera Star, Volume XLIX, 13 August 1929, Page 9

A “PERFECT DAY” IN TARANAKI

(Bv a Southlandor.) \\ o tear ted on (lie first day oi spring—anti a. peufeef spring day, too — in a magnificent car, with a host able to tel’i us all things of interest en route, for a trip “right round the mountain” as you say; we should more likely say “round Taranaki,” but your glorious, mountain does dominate everything to such an extent that a visitor can quite understand “The Mountain” almost taking the ptacie of Tananaki. Jt certainly is the most fascinating and outstanding scenic influence that 1 have ever mat, and I think it is certainly more fascinating and wonderful from iiavera than from laaty other point of view; its rising so- sheer and straight front an apparently flat horizon fairly takes the breath away in wonder. We even went out at midnight before going to bed to gaze on its majesty, a.s- the cold wintry moon fights u.pon it- land gives to it a sort of mystery. In fact, I have fe’i't an inclination to- put. my hands up and push- it away, it is so overpowering.

But to continue out tour: One of 1 1 i-o first things to attract us was a- reel gum in flower, reminding us of Australia, and never to be seen in Southland, for, though it ready does seem to- rain las miuch up here ,it is much warmer, and no mud about-. Part of the recreation of our farmers—and' sometimes their wive® also—lies in putting down drains. A fanner once bold tile that -lie had had wet feet for 28 years, and I know of land down there, (about. 40ft.. square, that ha-si seven rows of drain pipes in it. Some people dig ho'es in a lawn and till them with coke to absorb this water, then cover with the earth, so be thankful your downpours of rain disappear and leave you dry. Then, on o-ur way to Mauiaia, we were much struck by .a beautiful gate of Maori carving—and all carved by a European! What an excehent idea fur us to acquire that wonderful, art now that our Maori brothers are giving it- u,p. The small area of the farms struck us, and this and the amount of stock to the acre seemed amazing. The pretty modern bungalow houses therein, all so brightly painted, with electricity installed, all looking so cosy and comfortable, must .surely gladden the heart of man, to know that 'lie 'hr.n----e-y’s wife now enjoys the comforts and conveniences of her town sisters. One thought came as we traversed that beautiful road, “What a boon would be those travelling libraries that they have- out-hack in Australia.” Naturally the miles of asphalt roads and the miles of boxthorn hedges impressed us. How many mites of boxthorn hedges are there in Taranaki ? and who first introduced it?

A glorious panorama, unfolded' a-s the landscape opened out with the sea sparkling in the sunshine on one side and the undulating country ending in

“The Mountain” on the other, and to be told that “just over there” was historic Parihaka. Then on and on, with an over-changing view of the -mountain, once soon over some pine trees with the sun shining on it, it really looked like a fancy picture and not a reality. Then going into- New Plymouth is really beautiful and exactly like entering Hobart from the Launceston Road ; then pretty undulating ground, delightful homesteads and- gardens. Then the beautiful old church, with its historic connections, colours of regiments. heroes in its burial ground, would have taken far longer time than w<> had to spare. We visited the wharves, breakwater, and. will 1 sav. wore rather disgusted to tin 1 that I'ast- wear and; for the first time, you had beaten us there by some thousand® of tons, f am afraid Mr. Massey’s advice “Go North, _ young man” is tending to leave us behind! Of course, we expected the New Plymouth gardens to he very beautiful, but the realitv really exceeded our expect ation-s. The height of some of the tree ferns was amazing, -and ia glimpse of the mountain with the bright sun shining on from this side- of the 'lake cwiVl not be surpassed by any scene in the world. We were surprised to see a- huge block of modern flats right, in the centre, ol lie town. Neither Southland Tasmania or many much 'lunger cities in Australia ..have vet advanced so far. Oh our wav home we passed through those, busy bright little towns of Eitlvani, Stratford, etc., and-really seemedto pass a big dairy factory every hundred vardis or so! They seemed to flash past at. a great rate, 'and explained all those large number of cows to the nme that, had caused ns some surprise-. And so into Ha worn, ending one. of O'.Pi mote enjoyable and interesting: ■nctor Hips—and wo have had many—qhof we hove over had.