MOUNT EGMONT COACH SERVICE.

Hawera & Normanby Star, Volume XLVIII, Issue 8145, 17 December 1904, Page 2

MOUNT EGMONT COACH SERVICE.

*• A SUCCESSFUL INAUGURAL RUN. LARGE PARTY "VISITS DAWSON'S FALLS HOUSE. On Wedneßday morning a party of 28 gentlemen left Hawera for the Dawson s Sails mountain house. The occasionwai the opening run of the cosch service, which, after a considerable amount of trouble, has been inaugurated fey the members of the Hawera Chamber 6T Commerce. There was a very heavy rainfall on Tuesday, and the hearts of the excursionists suffered many misgiving!. Several proposals were made to abandon the trip, but these were promptly rejected by the Chairman of the Chamber fMr Wbittaker). It is said that fortune favors the brave, and the saying received substantiation on Wednesday morning when the atmosphere was warm even though the clouds were someI what threatening. And the glass had dropped some points during the previous night. When 9 o'clock came there were only two who failed to respond to the roll-call, but all the seals of the two drags that had been engaged were* fully occupied. Those of the party were: Messrs C. E. Major, M.H.R., B. C. Bobbins (Mayor of Hawera), A. J. Whittaker (Chairman of the Chamber), Tait (vice-chairman), J. Hardley, J. Brunette, Squire, Carpenter, Kneebone, Hicks, Sargent, Bone, Bates, 'Sargeson, Hughes, Hooker, Harris, Thacker, Wilson, Edmonds, Wrigley, Ekdahl, 1 Bpence, F. Brunette, Keen, Rigg, Wilkie, Eames, Morrison, and Staples. WHEN THE BUGLE BLEW. ! There was some grave shaking of heads when the company foregathered at the meeting place — not by those who were going, but by those who were left behind. With considerable confidence "a good ducking" was predicted, and it must be confessed that the skies held out but small hope of holiday weather. Soon the drags were laden with their human freight, heavily supplemented with rugs, extra clothing, and cases of creature comforts. Then the bugle blew. "Let 'em go," called the driver to the ostler, and the teams, fresh from their rest and oats, jumped off eagerly, the leaders plunging. Tom Higginson had charge of the first team and George Reid handled the ribbons on the second. Mr Fred Brunette's cornet trumpetted out "The Girl I Left Behind Me, and the bugle of a small boy from the Hawera cadets further attracted the attention of a large number of people who were watching for the departure with interest. A preliminary run was made to the railway station and back to the post-office in front of which photographs of the party were taken. In this connection it may be mentioned that the Chamber of Commerce has decided to issue a pictorial series presenting views of the trip at its various interesting stages. At 9.20 o'clock the whip cracked and the drags sped off. The party was in high spirits and aglow with expectation despite the fact that ominous clouds hung over the mountain, the lower ones being inky black. "Which way's the wind?" asked one of the party, and the smoke from the neighboring chimmes mutely replied. "It's dead south; must have good weather," was the spoken answer. A smart run, and the racecourse was reached, when the cameras of Messrs Squire and Morrison were again brought into requisition, and at Normanby, which was reached 10 minutes before 10 the operation waa repeated. Meanwhile a delightful pastoral panorama began to be revealed. The rise past Normanby had been negotiated, and at the descent,there was presented to the view that beautiful valley ahead, ankle deep ,in luscious grass and dotted with white-fleeced sheep and well-conditioned cattle. On the right hand was a field of waving corn and on the left rich stock pastures. Away ahead over the valley could be seen the present habitations ol the modern Maoris— Waiware, Mawhititi, and Matapu. Just then the sun came out, and two yellow hammer-heads from the neighboring telegraph lines twittered a welcome. Bird life was scarce, and the bright-plumaged creatures attracted notice. OKAHU PA. Before reaching the Okahu pa and the Electric Light Company's works on the left hand may be seen a charming picture where the Waingongoro winds its course through its beautiful tree-covered banks. This picturesque spot is the delight of the angler who searches the stream for brown trout, and not infrequently also catches a rainbow. A halt was cried and the company paid a visit of inspection to the electric light works, which afforded much interest. Everything at the power-house was bright and clean, and the engineer was good enough to set the machinery going for the benefit of the visitors and explain the principle of electrical generation here adopted. The vehicles stopped just opposite the Okahu pa which it is understood the Scenery Preservation Commissioners will-r ecommend to be set aside. This is an old native pa which was assaulted by the Waikatos in 1840, when some very sanguinary encounters took place and during which the celebrated chief, Ngataitangirua, was killed. After the expenditure of some pore photographic energy the interesting journey was resumed, and at 10.50 another brief stay was made at Okaiawa. As the journey proceeded the climatic conditions remained unaltered, but "unto the day the evil thereof was sufficient." The lowering cloud - brows were disregarded and cheerfulness reigned supreme. The roads were in thoroughly good condition, and the drive continued, to be most enjoyable. TE NGUTU O TE MANU. At 7 minutes past 11 Te Ngutu o te Manu was reached. Besides having the possibilities of being made into one of the prettiest of parks this reserve has attached to it the sad memory of the fall of Major yon Tempsky, and 25 of his gallant company. The meaning of the name is "The beak of the bird." Te Ngutu has about it heavy sheltering belts of trees and the inside, although somewhat uncared for in appearanc^, is still an attractive spot apart from its historical interest. In a conspicuous place is a monument upon which is inscribed : "This cross is erected- in memory of the officers and men who fell or died from wounds received near this spot in engagements with the Maori rebels on the night of August 20 and the morning of August 21, 1868, and on September 27, 1868. ' Then follows the names. Bareheaded the company for a few moments stood round the monument while another addition was made to the photographers' lists. TOWARDS KAPONGA. Te Ngutu was left at 11.20 and ten minutes later the anglers of the party were again set talking tins as the horses splashed into the ford to cross the Kapuni stream, a favorite resort of fishermen. At I this point another pleasing prospect was presented to view and as the sun just at the moment successfully struggled for supremacy with the cloud-banks satisfaction was increased. Along the Palmer road there is a fine stretch of "God's own country." On clear days with snow-cap-ped Egmont standing majestically in the background the scene is delightful. While the well-formed metal road admits of fast travelling. As progress was made the mountain assumed different shapes, and showed altered forms. Presently Hastie's hill showed out clearly against the sky line. From the distance it was dumpylooking. "Just like a plum pudding," observed someone, probably with visionr of Christmas before him. Down low on the close horizon the clouds became inkier with a dull blue tinge, and a few spots of rain suggested wet skins before long. Still the weather held off, and at 5 minutes past 12, after travelling only 2 hours 45 minutes, including the numerous stoppages, the party arrived at Kaponga. Here a halt was called and the horses were led to the stables. Dinner was had at the Coffee Palace, and at its conclusion Mr Wilkie took the opportunity of thank-, ing the Hawera Chamber of Commerce for the action it had taken in connection with the coach service and wished them a pleasant time. On behalf of the Chamber, the President (Mr A. J. Whittaker) suitably replied. After dinner, time dragged somewhat until the member for the district started a standing jump competition. The athletes of the crowd soon got to work, and the footpatn was scored with marks denoting the distance of each leap. While the excitement was high a coach containing some cricketers happened along, one of whom registered Bft 2in as his effort, and the others (ben put on their coats. There was another line-up for more photographs, the party by this time being fairly used to the operation. TO THE MOUNTAIN HOUSE. At 1.45 Kaponga was left behhwL and the distance to the end of the passable road was soon reached. Four mile* to walk! The track was pretty muddy, as was to be expected after the recent rains, but those provided with goloshes negotiated the journey with dry feet. For the use of the heavy-conditioned a few hacks were provided, but the rest walked. Fresh and eager they pushed on, but soon they were strung out into groups of fives, threes, and twos. At the two-mile post the majority appeared sorry that they had not begun a little more leisurely. The next half-milo seemed to be made up of fix furlongs, and the next of eight. It ' wag remarkable how suddenly some developed keen interest in botany, and tat down that they might more closely ezamhie a peculiar leaf or fern. With a mile to go they kept plodding on. and with a sigh of- satisfaction • passed the half-mile and the quarter-mile mark. Puffing on, there was a stiff little elevation in front— and then the house. „ Those who arrived earlier had recovered their wind, •and cheered the newcomers as they came, into view. By half-past four the-J«s,t of. the stragglers arrived and a little later, all were laughing and chatting and none the- worse for the* unusual exertion. Thirty mecially sharpened appetites awaited the call to tea and when the bell rang^he company made haste to the tables to Acuss the roast goose, ham and other godn things provided: (To be Continued.)