OTAGO FARMERS' TOUR.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXVI, Issue 20288, 22 June 1929, Page 16

OTAGO FARMERS' TOUR.

PARTY. REACHES AUCKLAND.

WEEK-END IN THE NORTH.

RETURN TO CITY ON MONDAY.

Carrying 310 excursionists, including many women, the Otago farmers' train arrived at Auckland at 10 o'clock last evening, 45 minutes behind schedule. The lost time was not duo to any serious cause, but to minor delays at tho refreshment stations.

The party loft Palmerston North about 8 o'clock yesterday morning and covered the greater part of the journey north in daylight. The tourists were dolighted with tho trip, in spite of tho fact that, heavy rain throughout tho early part deprived them of a view of some of tho best scenery which the Main Trunk lino provides. Heavy clouds and mist enveloped tho mountains at Tongariro National Park, and it was not until the journey was half over Airi darkness was beginning to settle that tho train ran into clearer weather. At tho Auckland station many of tho visitors were met by relatives, but even though a great number was absorbed in that way, the accommodation of tho remainder, owing to the fact that the Auckland Trotting Meeting opens to-day, placed a great strain upon tho resources of the city hotels and boarding houses, most of which wero full last evening. The tourists will leave for YVhangarei by special train at 10.15 this morning. This evening the men of tho party will be entertained at a smoke concert at Whangarei, and the women will be tho guests of Whangarei women. Tomorrow visits will be paid to Opua and Russell, and the return to Auckland will bo made on Monday. The train is duo at 4.20 p.m. Tuesday's programme includes two round trips of the city, charabancs leaving the chief post office in the morning and the afternoon to visit various places of interest. The excursionists will leave Auckland for Rotorua at 8.20 on Wednesday morning, and from Rotorua they will return to their homes in Otagd. During tho tour the party .i 3 accompanied by Mr. C. E. Barness, commercial agent for tho Railway Department for the Dunedin district, while Mr. A. W. Wellstead, who acts in a similar capacity at Auckland, is also accompanying it through the Auckland province.