A CHRISTMAS TRIP TO KAITANGATA.

Otago Witness, Issue 2080, 4 January 1894, Page 19

A CHRISTMAS TRIP TO KAITANGATA.

Dear Demon,— The truth of the old saying that " Christmas tjomes but once a year " has never been so forcibly brought b-fore us as it has been this season. So pleasantly have our holidays flown by that Christmas of 93 reminds one of the lines on the snowflake on the river :

A moment white, then gone for ever.

So taking warning from the fate that befell the tnowflake, we shall endeavour to place on paper (however faintly) the pleasures of a trip a few of us had at Christmas. - A week or two prior to the holiday, several members of the Dunedin Cycling Club decided to take advantage of Christmas and Boxing Days coming on a Monday and Tuesday by haviDg an outing into the country. Where to go was the first point to be considered. After several suggestions, Kaitangata via Balclutha was decided upon.

An early start was to be made from Lookout Point at 6.30 on Sunday morning. Six thirty duly came, and with it three members punctually to time; but the others were non est. Somnus apparently had wooed, and not in vain. So after waiting 15 minutes or more (decidedly more) the three members started off, leaving the laggards to overtake them at their leisure. Passing through Green Island with a fair wind at our backs, Saddle Hill was soon reached, and along the down grade to Grey town scorching was ,of ten indulged in— rather unwisely, considering •the journey before us. What with laughing And chatting, up one hill and down the next, sve merrily bowl along our way — not, however, without recognising the far-famed beauty of the pla ; n. Again and again remarks of delight broke forth from the riders at the freshness of the varied scenes through which we were passing. tioon the Taieri river is reached, and immediately afterwards, rounding a curve in the road, we catch sight of White House at Henley, ■where we put up for breakfast. While resting we observe a solitary rider coming along at a great rate, and when close up we recognise the form of the genial Marshall, from whom we learn that two other members were — like a certain, celebrated gentleman's hat and wig — " coming on behind." Soon one of the latter pats in an appearance, being none other than our captain, G. Crow. From him we learn with regret that his brother's machine has met with a, mishap necessitating that gentleman's staying behind. The following— all members of the D.C.C. — jvow comprised the party— viz. : Captain G.

Crow, A. G. Melville, A. Marshall, G. W. Fryer, and R. E. P. King. At 10 a.m. Henley, apparently looking its best, was left behiad, when scorching again seemed to trouble some of the riders, for before 11 o'clock Milton was reached. After a short spell, Host Bastings was bade adieu, and a start made for Balclutha.

The roads so far had been exceedingly good. Outside of Milton, however, a change was observable, the road for a .mile or two being very bumpy, but this was 6oon forgotten in the pleasure of again coming on a good surface. Everyone was now in high spirits, and we merrily rode on past cosy farmhouses, with sleek-looking cattle lazily resting content amid the luxuriant grass, while whiffs of the sweet-scented clover were wafted to our nostrils again and again. What with our pleasant surroundings, and the easy and yielding motion of the pneumatics and the sensation of rushing through the pure air, we began to wish that) this might be for ever. When I say " thatthi3 might be for ever," it must be understood that stoppages for meals are to be made, for even> the most ardent cyclist and lover of nature is fain to confess that the beauty of nature itself 18 not enough to satisfy. The wants of the inner man require replenishing well occasionally.

On ncaring Balclutha one of our number began to. feel slightly indisposed or "tired," and as dinner-hour was approaching, it was thought advisable for the others to push on ahead and have dinner waiting — one member electing to wait behind with the rear-guard. Balclutha was reached about 1 p.m., when, after a wash, a good dinner was done ample justice to by all, including the rear-guard, who was himself again. After dinner we took a stroll round the town, admiring its many points of interest. Everything looked at its best, gardens vying with one another as to which should look the prettiest. I had almost omitted to say that Captain Sanders, of the Balclutha Cycling Club, had ridden to Milton and escorted U3 back to Balclutha. Along with Mr Sanders we had a look at the recreation ground, and found that with a little time and trouble expended on rolling and levelling it would in time make a very decent track ; but at present it is very bumpy— too much so for light machines to ride on. After waiting for tea, a start was made for Kaitangata. Leaving about 7 o'clock, we rode along the banks of tha Molyneux. The absence of the sun, which had been very warm all day, added materially to the comfort of our evening ride. The glimpses of the river as we caught sight of it rounding the curves of the road were very pretty indeed. In the foreground is the yellow stream rushing on as if in haste to lose itself in the vastuess of the mighty ocean ;' further back lies the island, clothed in one mass of foliage down to the water's edge, while behind the far-off mountains stand up in deep dark-blue ruggedness, contrasting strongly with the calmness of the scene at our feet. But soon our road turns inward, and we must needs follow it, leaving the river and its calm beauty for some other time. Just before entering Kaitangata we pass through a rather pretty avenue of trees, which somehow impressed one favourably of the place we were approaching. The Bridge Hotel was soon made, and in a few minutes we were all making visible efforts to get the most comfortable beds remaining. Being holiday time, Host Corson had his place taxed to its utmost capacity. After one or two makeshifts all were made comfortable for the night, and we then indulged in some sacred music, of which the most successful item was " Tired," being considered by those competent to judge as being rendered with much feeling— how much so some of the audience completely failed to recognise.

After music "to bed " was sounded, and the — with one exception — weary cyclists soon were trying to lose themselves in the arms of " tired Nature's sweet restorer," but in one room certainly without avail. The cause thereof being the said exception above-mentioned, who had a most peculiar way of emphasising what he thought was the most fit and proper way of making the night go by. Poor fellew ! he must have had them very bad indeed, for he imagined that he had been apprenticed to a cobbler — at least this is the only reasonable theory that could account for him collecting all the boots in the room and taking them to bed with him. However, even this and some other trifling incidents gradually fade away, and for an hour or two silence reigns supreme — the exception sleeps.

Christmas morning is ushered in with lovely weather. After enjoying a bath and breakfast, each member pleases himself where to put in the day. Some decide to start for Waitahuna and Lawrence— others stroll round the township, viewing the many places of interest. A few visit the mines ; others pass the time in playing tennis, or fishing for trout and perch ia the adjoining river — indeed, so strongly does fishing take hold of the members that a fishing party was formed for 4 30 in the next morning. The morning came all right, but not the party, only a party puttiog in an appearance, so that the startling basket of fish caught in time for breakfast that morning was owing tj the exertions of this solitary individual.

Tuesday morning finds us packing up preparatory to starting for home. After having been made so comfortable by our kind host and family the fiual adieus are made with regret, and not un*il then do some of the members fiaci, for the first time, " How sad it is to say farewell."' Off once more, and soon Stirling is reached, where we stop for a few minutes to call on an old friend of the cyclists in the form of Mr D. Campbell, who treats us to some fiae new milk and cikes. After bidding adieu to our kind host, we start off once more and ride into Milton about 11.45 — having left Kaifeangata at 9.10 B,m. At Milton we are overtaken by Messrs W. Don and Samuel Crow, both members of the D.C.C , who had been for a trip up Tapanui way. They report weather good and roads splendid. As we have fixed on Waihola for our meeting place with other members of the club, we do not &top at Milcon, but ride on until Waihola is reached, where dinner is despatched. Again fresh arrivals join our force in the Bhape of Messrs W. and C. Speight and F. M'Kechnie— all members of the D.C.C, who had taken a run up to Lawrence on Monday, returning the following day. Leaving Waihola at 2 30, most of the members decide to push straight on for town, which is reached a little after 5 p.m. Thus ended our Christmas trip of '93, and should the Christmas weather of '94 prove as propitious and the roads as good as those of '93, I am perfectly certain that none of the members of our party who can possibly find time to get away will forget to make for that pretty little township called Kaitangata. Wishing you, dear Demon, all seasonable wishes, — I am, your affectionate brother cyclist, Tyred.