WHERE HISTORY WAS MADE

New Zealand Times, Volume LIII, Issue 12353, 25 January 1926, Page 7

WHERE HISTORY WAS MADE

PARADISE ACROSS THE STRAIT BEAUTIFUL PELORUS SOUNDS SUCCESSFUL EXCURSION There was life and laughter within the hush-clad rugged' walls, of Pelorus Sound yesterday. Into -this wondrous arm of the sea the Union Company’s luxurious express ferry steamer Tamabine had glided in the early, hours of the morning, and soon after eight o’clock her lifeboats like children round the mother ship were darting hither and thither filled with excursionists who had taken advantage of the week-end trip to the Sounds as they are popularly celled. There was e large crowd on board tho vessel as she cleared her Wellington berth at 1.15 p.m. on Saturday and a‘good run was made to Picton. Right from the jump the passengers caught the spirit of the trip and the company’s officials,, officers, and men did all that was possible to make every moment of the journey the pleasantest. _ . Shortly the arrival at Picton an open space on the promenade deck was gaily decorated with coloured lights and canvas awnings found an overhead covering to an open space -in the promenade deck. The scene was set for a dance and the gathering was augmented by a number of the young people of Picton. RAIN HOLDS NO TERRORS Then came a most unpleasant visitor —the jolly old rain, an incessant downpour, straight down from the heavens. The canvas awnings were not a match for the .uninvited guest and they succumbed with hardly a struggle. The deck was quickly deluged and the water was running off. A broom was brought) to bear, but the water was removed only temporarily. However, the orchestra struck up .and Captain Macindpe and his partner slithered through a lively polka. The effect visa magical, “Why waste the music,” said tho others, and they joined in. The rain was defeated. All .voted it an enjoyable, if not a unique dance. In a Short time everyone had wet feet, but nobody cared. The rain fell steadily until the finish, hut the enthusiasm of the dancers waxed instead of waned. All turned in in merry mood when resting time came round. At 4 a.m. on Sunday morning tho Taraahine left Picton for Tennyson Inlet on an arm of Pelorns Sound, and the objective was reached about 7 o’clock after a few contortions by the steamer as she made her way through a strong northerly and choppy sea round Gipe Jackson. , A JOY FOREVER The morning broke beautifully fine, and the iofty hills that rose sheer from the deep waters looked impressive and majestic) and their bush covering of a myriad shades of fresh green were a pleasing contrast to the bluish green wrinkles on the sea that rippled sprightly in the warm morning sun. Near the water’s edge were shrublike veronicas, myrtles, fuchsias, solonon, tutu and flax. Higher up the sides of the hills ard clothed with trees of which the rimu, totara and mSi (all belonging to the pine tribe) are the most common. Intermingled with these were tawai and hinau and on the lower levels the hush was almost impenetrably woven with lianas. High tree ferns with the cabbage palm struck the eye as the most Beautiful forma of New Zealand vegetation. The number of small ferns was quite incredible and most were in a state of fructification. The great scenic re serve abounds in bird life who sang as 'they had never sung before.

GLIMPSES OF THE PAST Pelorus ■ Sound was not named after Pelorus Jack as many people have supposed, hut after a brig sent in 1838 to punish a theft which the whalers stated had been committed by the natives living on the shores of the Sound. The captain’s form of punishment was that of firing a few shots into the cliffs and then departing. It was in Pelorus Sound that Abel Tasman, ihe discoverer of New Zealand, was supposed to have sheltered for three days in his visit in 1642 from a severe storm. >ln his “Journal” he states that' a storm from the northwest and west-north-west was blowing so hard that they had to strike their tops and drop an additional anchor. Ons of his ships, “Zeehaen,” was almost forced from her anchor. It was at Pelorus > Sound that some of the great victories of the famous Maori warrior Te Rauparaha took place. From D’Urville Island he made a descent on the natives of the Sound and completely annihilated them. The survivors in the defeated army were made the slaves.of the conquerors. But to return to the week-end excursion. Aftar breakfast the passengers formed themselves into groups, and launches and lifeboats were used to convey the people either to favourite nooks on the shore or to the fishing grounds.' Whether the people fished, toured in launches round the numerous inlets, or landed for a tramble ( ofi the shore, they enjoyed themselves to the. utmost. BEFORE THE MAORIS' A party led by Ms H. F. Norman, of .the Union Company r made a successful search for the. pit-dwellings ef the Moriori, the race that inhabited New Zealand before the Maoris. Six were found to be remarkably well preserved and gave one an excellent idea of tho “residences” of these historic peoples. The fishermen were kept busy and on one boat no less than’ 150 cod, gurnet, and groper were hauled aboard. Most of the catches were good sized and in fine condition. After lunch the vessel commenced her return trip to Picton.' The seas were now calm and the excursionists basked in the sunshine and drank deep of the ozonio breeze from the tea. All were ready for tea-when Pipton was reached again. An-hour’s stay there and the bow wa« tufted for Wellington. / ; A RARE TREAT Tho Straits were beautifully calm and without any fears of sea-sickness the passengers remained on deck to ,see a rare sunset. The Visibility was particularly high, and as soon as Tory Channel was cleared the North Island stood clear-cut against the sky for all to see. Kapiti Island could also be seen distinctly, but the greatest sight of all was the remarkable view of the Kaikouras. A deep, blue they looked from the great distance and against a sky that would have 'delighted the heart of Turner they made bold relief. A dazzling white snowcap crowned the higher peaks and golden fleecy clouds lent variety to the beauties of the heavens. As the sun sank deeper and deeper the bleeding colours softened until they werg lost in the night. When the Wellington wharf' was reached one thought that one had been several days away from the city. So much of interest had been unfolded to the eye and so manv happy incidents had taken place that it seemed incredible that all' could be crammed into a week-end excursion. The attractions of the Sounds are as numerous as the number of German jfinrks to the sovereign, and the Union Company are to be congratulated on the way they are carrying out the trips. The minute attention to detail must have involved a tremendous amount of preparation. ,1110 voyages are varied and each voyage discloses new scenes of beauty.