COUNT EGMONT COACH SERVICE.

Hawera & Normanby Star, Volume XLVIII, Issue 8146, 19 December 1904, Page 2

COUNT EGMONT COACH SERVICE.

A SUCCESSFUL INAUGURAL RUN. "»°» p YiM™ E . DAWBON ' B (Continued.) It might have been mentioned that, barring the mud beneath and a alight shower, the walk through the reserve to the Mountain House was attended with no discomfort. The temperature was not high but the unwonted exercise sent thtj warm blood coursing through the vein, of the excursionists, made pale faces rei faces, and red faces ruddier. The chairman of the Hawera School Committee (Mr Sargent) walked the whole distance almost without turning a ,hair, and the President of the Chamber of Commerce (Mr Whittaker) plugged gamely on despite his avoirdupois. After travelling a couple oWmiles the latter was "legged" on to a horse, but presently the saddle slipped round and the animal was led from that point, Mr Whittak^i preferring to take no chances. Judging from the affectionate manner in which some of the less athletic pressed theit calves, they evidently felt that swollen sensation in the muscles which is experienced as the result of unusual climbing. Still everybody looked healthier an»J happier even if temporarily distressed. "Be a splendid thing for my indigestion," one Borough Councillor remarked. The overhanging trees made the light rather dull for effective photograph wotk, but the many charming turns in the track I which opened up fresh and delightful scenery were irresistible to the professionals of the party. When the shower ceased, how still the air was! Not a breath of wind so much as rustled, the leaves. All nature seemed peacefully at rest. The mountain itself was hidden from view by the foliage and the clouds. SETTLING DOWN. i The Mountain House is at an altitude of 3070 f«et, and the air on Wednesday evening was keen. After all appetites I had been appeased the company began to I toast themselves before a glorious fire built in a big open fireplace and fierce ' enough to roast a bullock. Still in the far j comers of the dining room, which is not I lined, the air was next to freezing. It | was not yet dark, and the clouds lifted 1 and disclosed the face of the mountain— a very different mountain it seemed to those 'who had only previously seen it from Hawera. That gradual and even rise of its slopes to a peak was lost, and i its rugged features stood out prominently. Down low on Fantham's Peak the white ' line came, while arms ran down the vali leys like rivers of snow. The top was lost in the clouds. "Bunks" were marked off, so that there might be no confusion later on. and the chaff mattresses were spread. There is not much waste of space in the sleeping apartments, the berths being three high, one above the other, around the walls. It was suggestive of the sea, and one bad sailor declared he felt squalmish. "Does she rock much!" he asked.

A SOCIAL EVENING. At the invitation of the President everybody quickly settled down to enjoy a social evening. It was now too dark for aught else. The fun began with a prophetic chorus, "Oh, we won't go home till morning," after which the toast of loyalty was honored. In proposing "Dawsons Falls Committee" Mr John Hardley looked forward to the time when he hoped to take his seat in an electric car and without exertion reach the mountain house. Messrs Wrigley, Wilkie and Hornby acknowledged the compliment. Mr Edmonds, Opnnake, proposed "The Chamber of Com merce, and complimented that body upon the enterprise it had shown. Mr Whittaker, President, replied. "The. Hawera Borough Council" ("Borrow" Council was what Sir Wilson', who proposed, called it) was the next toast. The remark mentioned was not the only liberty Mr Wilson rentured >to take, for he declared that when the higher rates are struck the ratepayers will say the Council are "Robbin"' them. An order for his execution was immediately issued. Mr Robbins (Mayor) and Crs Sargeson and F. Brunette replied. Mr Major, M.H.R., proposed "Government Officers," coupled with the name of Mr Rigg. In the course of his remarks Mr Major contended that civil servants as a rule earned well the wages they received. Mr Ekdahl proposed "The Coach Contractors," the names of Messrs Higginson and Reid being associated with it. "The Press,* neatly proposed by Mr J. Brunette, was acknowledged by the press representatives present. "Mr and Mrs St. Clair" was 'cordially proposed by Mt Wrigley, and a hearty recognition of Mr Whittaker's chairmanship completed the list. The speeches were interspersed with other contributions, which were greatly appreciated. Messrs F. Brunette (cornet) and Leo Whittaker (piano) supplied bright music. The performers were Messrs Squire, Rigg,.Eames, Hooker, Carpenter, Hughes, Keen, Staples, and Thacker. At the conclusion of the programme but little inclination for rest was evinced, and the dance music began. There were no ladies present to make the real Pleasure of "tripping the light fantastic," ut the boisterous spirits danced together to the accompaniment of roars of laughter. Everybody abandoned themselves to make the most of everything, and when they were tired of dancing there was an exhibition of high kicking. As midnight approached the bracing mountain air had made a fresh batch of candidates for food, and the company again set to. It was approaching one o'clock before the lights were out land the visitors in their strange berths sought repose. A few slept; the snoring said so. By 4our o'clock the whole camp was slumbering soundly, but ten minutes later their sleep was rudely disturbed by Hawera's chief civic representative, who shook the sleepers, tramped about and woke the whole hillside. He made ample amends a little later, however, by bringing each of his room companions a cup of fresh-made tea and a slice of hot toast. WHO'S FOR HOME?

About half the party had unwisely decided to leave the mountain house by early morning on Thursday for home. Business necessity was the plea. The air was sharp, but not severely cold, and although the sky was cloudy the atmosphere was clear. Those for home had Had only the benefit of the exercise and a night of mountain air as their portion when their blanket-rolling began. It was for those who remained behind to feed fat on the glorious scenery of Mount Egmont. There was an early breakfast, and the pack-horses were Bent to the bottom of the hiO with their burdens. Some of those returning visited Dawson's Falls, and thereby added this memory to the pleasant recollections of the visit. But I presently a fog settled down, and the drive home after an insufficient night's rest, with a day's work ahead upon arrival, was hardly an ideal termination to the outing. DAWSON'S FALLS. In order that as much sight-seeing as possible might be crowded into the short time at the disposal of those remaining behind it was decided to do Dawson's Falls before half -past-seven breakfast, and thither the party repaired. The plant life on the way down attracted considerable attention, with its nameless varieties of ferns and endless shades of jgreen. There were beautiful flowers, too, that were eagerly plucked. The Falls were viewed from above and below. They are attractive to a degree, but just now the volume of water is not very great, which, of course, renders the spectacle less imposing, flat the whole of the surroundings, with their central attraction, is beautiful. The Maori name for the spot is Te-rere-o-, Noke, and about Noke's leap there is a Maori legend. The story, according to a member of the party, is that during the invasion of the Waikatos one of their chiefs, Noke, ran away to the hills with a Taranaki native woman. The pair were pursued by the Taranaki natives, and the woman was captured and killed. Noke was overtaken just at the head of the falls, and to escape he leaped over with the water and was dashed upon the rocks below and killed. OTHER ATTRACTIONS. There was still time to make other short excursions before the morning meal.' A fingerpost to the right pointed to the Crystal Bath, for gentlemen, and although the icy-cold waters of the stream were too uninviting for the purposes of ablution the name was attractive. The pathway is steep and hemmed in with charming greenery, and &t the first glimpse of the pool itself it was almost impossible to suppress an exclamation of delighted surprise. A huge bath, several yards long and of proportionate t width, with quiet, crystal-clear water. Every mark on the smooth-worn and greenish-colored bottom could be clearly seen through' the perfectly transparent water. Lovely native trees made an ornamental surrounding and formed an archway above to render the place more secjnded. It was a bath for. the gods. On the opposite side of the ridge from the house, in the Kabuni stream, is the place reserved for the ladies' bathing ground. The stream comes gushing down a series of miniature falls over slate-colored rock; while its banks are covered with foliage even in form and color, and quite' in contrast to (lie setting of the Crystal Bath, only a short distance away.

.> (To be ContumedlX

W. Spence, of the Economic has received large deliveries of men's and boYs clothing jwaaoMble clothing, eqmal to and etfofftfce mice of teflor-madc. Great attention is given to the clothing of boys; our value speak* Eoooomk. Hawera.-* Advt. Paint in the Stomach. Hke toothache. , are not dangerous, bat decidedly vnpieu ant. Persons who are subject so such torompw reuex may oe nauL S9Tr mmdasi a