THE GREAT BARRIER TRIP

New Zealand Herald, Volume XLVIII, Issue 14819, 24 October 1911, Page 4

THE GREAT BARRIER TRIP

OVER 1000 EXCURSIONISTS. NAVUA'S PICNIC CRUISE. No doubt Labour Day, as a holiday, was vastly enjoyed by thousands of people throughout the Auckland district, but it is at all event:; arguable whether any of the merrymaker*) had such a really right royal time as those, who, taking advantage of the Union Steam Ship Company's new departure in tho matter of excursions, availed, themselves of the opportunity of paying a Hying visit to Great Barrier Island, in the lino 3000-ton, twin-screw steamer Navuu— far the largest passenger steamer that has ever entered the pretty Whangaparaparu Harbour. There were some apprehensions as to whether this big picnic excursion would be carried out, and a good many thought when they found yesterday morning break dour and gloomy, a leaden sky, wintry blasts, and occasional rain squall's, that in audi forbidding weather the company would throw up the experiment as nulla bona, and keep their steamer snugly tethered to the outer tee of Queen-street Wharf. And so a number of folk wandered down in a listless kind of way, only to be astonished to find at even a very early hour, say. 7.50 o'clock, so many " ladies and gentlemen on board the steamer that the company needs must .send her on tho excursion. The Navua hauled up her gangways, and got her lines aboard just about a quarter to nine a.m. She had then a passenger list of 1088 excursionists, and about 200 late-comers, for whom there was not room on the steamer, were left standing disconsolate outside the wharf-barrier —they had no hope of seeing the Great Barrier that day ! The most noteworthy circumstance connected with the. outward trip was that the weather was cold and showery, but Captain R. G. Hutton and his officers soon made the unusually large muster of passengers comfortable. All exposed situations on the promenade and spur decks were protected by tarpaulins, and everybody soon settled down into a state of contented idlenessit was Labour Day in name only ; holiday, in fact. The apprehensive ones presaged a "lumpy sea outside." but happily for the comfort of everyone, they were faulty weather prophets. The sun came out in fitful uncertain fashion as the steamer slowed down a bit when entering the beautiful estuary known as Whangaparapara Harbour, but when fairly inside the light was almost brilliant, and the view was very beautiful. This portion of the Great Barrier presents features of diversified interest. The bush foliage is luxuriant, tho contour of the hills and rocky crags picturesque in the extreme, and the little brandling creeks meeting the blue tidal waters have a charm that is unusual and piquant. No sooner was the steamer alongside the timber company's wharf than the debarkation began, and very quickly there were more cameras at work in the bush and on the foreshore, picking out picture spots, than the oldest inhabitant of the Barrier has ever dreamed of. ' Botanist* were climbing the hills in all directions, securing trophies of more or less value, and fishermejj were enjoying themselves beyond

measure, for they got many "bites, but not many basketfuls of fish. ' The homeward journey was ideal. With less wind, and a mirrorlike 'sea, the Navua made the run back in excellent time, and arrived at her berth just about when she was expected, and so no one was disappointed. Experiment, though this excusion was, it was made abundantly evident that the matter had been carefully thought out by the Union Steam Ship Company's officers. Nothing better, nor anything more systematic could have been devised than the victualling arrangements, which were organised by Mr. It. J. Hartley, the company's superintending steward. The tables for the first meal were laid at 11 a.m., and thence practically continuously until about six p.m. The excursion was in all respects remarkably successful. It is to be hoped that the experiment will be repeated, and that before very long.