"A WONDERFUL TRIP."

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXII, Issue 19098, 17 August 1925, Page 11

"A WONDERFUL TRIP."

THE VISIT TO ROTORUA. AMERICANS AND MAORIS. REMARKABLE ENTHUSIASM. JWQ DAYS ALL TOO SHORT. The thermal and scenic wonders of Rotorna, the green pastures and prosperous looking homes along the countrytide, and tho hospitality of the peoplo delighted Admiral Kobison, Admiral Rodman and his party of 200 officers, who returned to Auckland from Rotorua on Saturday evening, to such an extent that all were deeply sorry that tho tour had been such a short one. "Wo have had a wonderful time," said Admiral Robi' son. and in theso words ho voiced the opinion of all. The party sot out early on Saturday morning in motor-cars on ono of Rotorua'.t most delightful trips—round a portion of tho forest reserve, past tho Green »nd Blue Lakes, and back to Whakarowarewa. The morning was sunny and a keen, cold wind made tho atmosphere crisp and clear. As tho cars sped over the hard clay roads members of the party frankly admired tho scenery. Some eaid that it resembled that of California end all tho way along the route they picked out different points of interest and likened them to 'places in their homo States. Tho high forest-clad hills and the deep gorges made moro than ono of them feel nearer homo. The road wound round tho Bluo Lake and then on to the Green Lake. A surprise awaited the party at a vantage point on the road from which both lakes could clearly be seen. On ono side stretched bluo waters and on tho other green. " .Well, that takes beating," said an officer, who looked from one to another. The officers plied the drivers of the cars with questions and listened with wrapt attention to Maori legends and tales about places of historic interest that were passed on tho route. Scene ol Remarkable Beauty.

A view of unsurpassed beauty was gained from tho high slopes above the Green Lake. Away to the north Tarawera rose majestically abovo tho rolling hills. To the left lay Lake Rotorua, now u silver sheet sparkling in tho sun. Below, the waters of tho Green Lake were whipped into myriad rolling white crests by the wind, and from tho sides of the deep waters rose high hills clad in forest to the lake's edge. Tho visitors wero very enthusiastic and expressions of admiration were heard on all sides.

The cars stopped ior an hour at Whakarewarewa whera the visitors were able to sea the thermal wonders they had so often read about. As tho party passed over the bridge near tho entrance to the gates the joyous shouts of ch.ildren in tho water 3 below attracted attention and in a minute they were diving for numerous coins, both American and English. The party then divided into groups of a dozen or so and were shown around by wahine guides. The blowholes, the rock formation and the mud pools proved equally interesting. Souvenirs ot the Visit. From tho thermal area the way led to the Maori pa on tho flat above and nothing interested the visitors more than the fine specimens of Maori carving on tho huts. They had seen nothing bettor, they said, awl they asked tho guides frequent questions. As they wandered about a wahino in all tho splendour of her native garb handed out neat little pois tied together with ribbon—a souvenir of tho visit. Tho Americas have a way of doing things gracefully and they fastened the little tokens to tho lapols of their coats.

On tbo way back to Rotorua one hoard many impressions of the visit, but the general consensus of opinion was that Whakarewarewa wa3 a wonderful place. Some were disappointed tlia! tlio geysers were not playipg. All voted that two days at. Rotorua was not nearly long enough. The Americans lost their hearts to the Maoris. They thought that these were the finest specimens of a native raco that they had seen, and the majority of them have seen many in their wander'nfrs. Their bea;itiful voices and keen intellect, their warmth and friendship and their frankness mado them instant friends with the visitors.

Many of tho officers visited the laths in the course of their stay and spent more than an hour there. After being for a long time in tho water one officer said that he felt "like a million dollars/' When they were free from official engagements many of the visitors went curio-hunting snd the shops of Rotorua have not done such "big business" for many a long day. Pieces of greenstone were the favourite purchases, while other articles bought included native serviette rings, pois, mats, kits and bowls. During lunch at the Grand Hotel before tho train left, Admiral Robison thanked Sir James Parr for tho excellent arrangements made during the trip arid the courtesy extended to tho party on all sides. Everything possible, he said, had been done for them and they had all had "a great time." Farowell at the Railway Station. The farewell at the station afforded an indication of what the Maoris and pakehas of Rotorua thought of the Americans All Rotorua and more seemed to be on and near the platform. The Maori maidens wero particularly sorry to lose the men from across the sea, and dressed in becoming European raiment they were there in full force. Up till that time the visitors had seen them only in their native adornments, and their neatness and charm in the clothes of the pakeha women was tho subject of favourable comment. The scene was one that will live long in the memory. The Maori maidens broke ont into a soft lilting love chanson and all talking ceased. Again they sang and again tho visitors wanted more. Then the Americans gave their cry and little groups sang the songs of their ships. It was a singing farewell because tho visitors ■wanted it to bo such. Tho Maori music appealed to them and they could not have enough of it. As the train moved away from thp sta +, on there was a sea of waving arms. Rotorua was sorry to lose the visitors and the Americans were perhaps more sorry to lose Rotorua. The special train made a good trip to Rotorua. covering the distanco of 171 miles in six hours. The train was delayed on the return journey and did not reach Auckland until 8.30 o'clock on Satnrday evening, an hour and a quarter behind schedule time. In an interview regarding the visit to Rotorua, Admiral Robison said that ho ■was very much struck by the afforestation development. Being a sailor ho did not know much about forests but anyone could see that tho Government forest reserve at Rotorua was a flourishing and valuable one. He was surprised to find so many varieties of trees practically growing ! alongside one another. Admiral Robison said that Whakarewarewa was a very attractive place and full of therml surprises. He marvelled at tho lack of connection between tho different •prings. He was agreeably impressed with tho countryside. "It is indeed wonderful," ho said, "that you should have rucli green pastures in the middlo of wintor." He is "enthusiastic concerning the Maoris and said that he thought both men and women fine specimens. The men ■mora very similar to the natives of Samoa and not nnliko the natives of Hawaii. He added that the Maoris were extremely polite and friendly, and some of them spefco the most beautiful English he had feard. « i