TOUR BY LORRY

Hawera Star, Volume L, 10 January 1931, Page 8

TOUR BY LORRY

SENIOR Y.M.C.A. MEMBERS.

Following the custom of previous years a party of 26 senior members of the Y.M.C.A., Wellington, with Mr Len J. Greenberg, general secretary of the association in charge, have just completed an extensive tour of tlie North Island. In 10 days altogether 938 miles were covered by motor lorry, the places visited including the thermal regions and the Urewera Country. This trip was held in addition to the boys’ camp at Waikanae. From Wellington the Main Trunk line was followed to Taihape. The party then visited National Park, Lake Taupo, and the thermal districts of Wairakei and Rotorua. A visit was paid to the Urewera Country, where the natty stayed at the mission station at Ruatapuna. On the return journey the new road from the last-mentioned place to Wailtaremoana was used, and Wellington was reached via Wairoa and Napier. What impressed the party most was the wonderful scenic interest of the North Island and the excellent condition of the majority of the roads. The hospitality shown to them throughout the tour was keenly appreciated. Halls were mostly used for sleeping purposes, and special hospitality wa-s given by the Maoris at Rotorua. Nearly all of the members of the party had previously visited the different tourist resorts of the North and South Islands, but all wore impressed by the splendour of the mountainous country in the Urewera district. There most of the bus'll both oi| the highlands and in; tln> valleys, one member said, remains] in its native state, and more than one of the tourists has expressed tlie hope that the Government will see that lvi/rst of this country is reserved for all time. '