THE HOLIDAY VOICE

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXI, Issue 21716, 3 February 1934, Page 4 (Supplement)

THE HOLIDAY VOICE

By BATHIA H. R. LUTTRELL, D.M.B G., Manocra, Waimana, Bay of Plenty. Aj:e 17. (Original). " Come away!" calls the holiday voice insistently. "Come away!" It is greeted with "ay, happy laughter, discontented sighs, and patient smiles. When all the earth lies beneath the spell of summer the holiday voice is heard in the places of the world all over, far and wide, distant and near, but only those whom fortune has favoured with her goodness may answer the call with a glad-hearted cry. " Come away to the sea!" calls the voice, and the green sea rolls in the distance like pleasant thunder. " Come to the open land, the country, Nature's paradise—" " Now away to the mountain-tops—-it's cool in summer. You can take your choice-*—Egmont, stately Ngarahoe, the white, white alps." " But the mountains are for winter and the falling snow and not for the ivarmth at all," argues a voice that comes from the far south. " Come down to the quietness of forest glades, to the luro of a fairy carrillon tuned by feathered things, Come and walk Mil ford Track!" "Ah! You have the spirit!" cries the holiday voice in tones of encouragement. " Now up with your pack, a whistle on your lips, an open road anil a billy to boil. At night a starry canopy your roof, through the day, wind and sun your companions. Tramping's the fun!" " Follow me, follow me, follow me!" rollicks the gay voice of Joy. " Come with the crowd, play with the crowd, join the crowd, do as the crowd does!" Comes the voice of Content. " Here is the power of peace —away from the crowd, far away." But the cry is scarce heard above the clamour of Joy. A few liearts heed the call and with a great longing get up and follow —those who have a sorrow to hide or ill-will to banish or a great thought to study. And all the while echoes the holiday voice, "Away!" Come a—way!" And hearing it, we of the holiday spirit, take the holiday road rind follow.