A CYCLING TOUR. TO INVERCARGILL, AND BACK BY CATLIN'S RIVER.

Otago Witness, Issue 2083, 25 January 1894, Page 33

A CYCLING TOUR. TO INVERCARGILL, AND BACK BY CATLIN'S RIVER.

During the New Year vacation Messrs W. Don and S. Crow, both members of the Dunedin Cycling Club, spent a very pleasant holiday by way of a tour to Invercargill and a call at Catlin's on the home journey. The following particulars of their trip may be of interest to my readers.

A start was made at 10 o'clock on the morning of December 31, and three and a-half hours' pleasant ride brought Toko in sight, and later on, what is always acceptable to wheelmen, a good dinner. After this item had been thoroughly discussed our friends sallied forth, Clinton being the next stage. The heat was now intense — it proved a day known to the brethren as a " real snorter." Presently Stony Creek was sighted, with its ever cool waters. j Here an unlooked-for treat was in store, by way of an immense feast of raspberries from an old garden close by. This to a cyclist is one of I the unexpected enjoyable moments which ever and anon break the monotony of the way. A south-east breeze had now made things pleasant, and after numerous calls by the way, where it might be mentioned " afternoon tea " was ever present, Clinton was at last overhauled. > New Year's Day broke with an austere countenance, and the elements threatened to cut up rusty, a close, soaking rain accompanying our friends as far ac Waipahi, but from there the weather improved. From Waipahi to Gore the road is unmetalled, but given a dry day it is rideable. Emerging from the Waikaka Valley and approaching Gore the scenery is very interesting, and affords an excellent view of the surrounding country. In front of you lie the rugged Hokonuis, away to the right loom out the Pyramids,- terminating in the Dome at Lumsden ; still farther away to the south the Takatimos can be seen ; between lies the Waimea Plains, stretching away for 40 miles to the north-west, with the Mataura river winding its sinuous course across its breadth.

Gore was at last reached, and, feeling a bit peckish, a hearty dinner was disposed of. Ab 3.30 our travellers were again under way for Invercargill, a short and interesting stay being made at the Mataura Falls en route. The road from here, with the exception of a few patches of shingle, is magnificent, having a fine surface and being almost level. After leaving Edendfale six miles of lumpy tussock land greets the traveller, which, after a good road, is anything bu 1 ; agreeable. Woodlands was reached at 6 o'clock, and from here to Invercargill the road was all that could be desired. Our wheelmen were, however, a little discomfited in consequence of numerous dismounts, occasioned by the constant meeting of holiday-makers, with restive steeds, coming home from the Invercargill sports. This is a trouble which cyclists must be prepared to meet gracefully on all occasions, otherwise serious accidents may result.

Invercargill was at last entered at 7 o'clock, and after digging out a decent "pub," our tired wheelmen made themselves comfortable. So far the trip had occupied two days, and as the home journey was to be started on Tuesday afternoon, that forenoon was spent in seeing the sights of the city. It was the 2nd of January, Invercargill's day out. Thousands of people go annually to the Bluff to get a sniff of the briny. Some come 40 or 50 miles to participate in this day's outing, and as the boating clubs hold their regatta on that day the inducement is enhanced. Our friends wended their way to the railway station to watch the exodu.«, and saw one train leave with close on 2000 people, mostly seated in open trucks. It is reported that 10,000 people availed themselves of the day's oubing. As a view from the water tower was reported as worth going for, that point of vantage was quickly assailed, and proved quite up to expectations. The town is situated at the head of the inlet. The day being clear Riverton could be teen lying just under the sandhills to the southwest ; the Bluff head away to the south-east ; to the north the southern portion of the Hokonuis ; to the north-west the Takatimos ; while close by and for miles around are stretches of highly-cultivated plain. Having dined sumptuously, and with a fond farewell to friends, our wheelmen turned their faces homeward at 2.30. The weather had been splendid up to this time, but when only an hour out a south-easb drizzle made things very uncomfortable ; but though wet through a spark of humanity still burned as the riders thought of the 10,000 picnickers at the Bluff, no doubt in a worse plight than themselves. Gore was overhauled at 5 30, and haviDg procured an assortment of dry clothing from the landlady, our friends again made themselves comfortable for the night. On entering the sitting room arrayed in their rather picturesque habilimenta, one of our friends, who was highly tanned by the sun, was immediately identified as au Indian Salvationist, and waa about to be

addressed in Hiniustanee by a traveller who, ere he had spoken, discovered his mistake. Catlin's river was now their destination, and Wednesday night, after an eventful and pleasant ride, saw our wheelmen safe at Romahapa, from which point an early start was made over the ranges into Owaka. Many had been the predictions of mishap and dreadful destruction in the miry roads of the Owaka district, but the elements were kind to our travellers, and the roads proved to be all rideable.

The scenery on this road is indescribable. Great mountains wooded to their' crowns with a virgin growth of New Zealand's rarest forest trees ; beautiful valleys, with a clearing here and there that marks the home of the sturdy settler who- has come to battle with this mighty forest and help in ifcs sure destruction. Now and then the hum of a saw marks the position of the pioneer industry of these vast solitudes. Passing over the range Owaka Flat spreads out before our friends, and there the country is somewhat open, The dairying industry is in full swing, with a fully equipped butter faotory to relieve the settlers of their cream.

Having arranged with a homoly resident to supply the necessary comforts for the next few days, our friends relinquished their wheels in favour of " Shank's neggie " and a river "flattie."

Thursday was spent in a trip down the Owaka river on a flounder fishing expedition — a change which was highly appreciated after a constant travel on the wheel for four days. In the evening a walk over to what is called " The Lake " completed the day's outing . Here the scenery is very impressive. As far as the eye can reach stretches one interminable forest, broken only by the lake, which lies in its midst like a sheet of burnished silver, reflecting the rays of the sun. The hushed stillness of the evening, broken only by the musio of a thousand songsters, adds a glory to the scene never to be forgotten. Saturday, the 6th, was set aside for a visit to " The Blow Hole." A portion ot this trip is by water down the Owaka river, and the rest, a distance of three miles, through a dense forest, is done on foot. There is only a faintly defined track through the undergrowth, and unless the route has been previously travelled it would be unsafe to go without a guide. The Blow Hole is really a subterranean cavern running inland from the ocean about 200 yds ; the roof has fallen in here at some remote period, leaving a huge chasm about 200 ft long, 50ft broad, and 150 ft deep, into which the waves from the ocean roll with a thunderous roar and dash up the Bides in angry clouds of spray, Giant trees grow close on the edge, their branches overhanging the chasm, and a luxuriant growth of fern and lichen clothe its precipitous sides for 80ft down. Visitors to the district should not fail to visit this attraotivo spot.

Our travellers having boiled the billy and appeased their extraordinary appetites, a start was made back by way of Jack's Island and Cannibal Beach, which is noted in New Zealand history as being the scene of the last great battle between the hostile native tribes of- the south. Hom6 waß reached at 7 o'clock, and a substantial dinner being prepared by a kind hostess, our friends again made themselves comfortable.

Their furlough having now expired, biken were cleaned and oiled and got in readiness for the homeward journey on the morrow. The day broke fine, and at ? o'clock, bidding farewell to their newly-made friends, our wheelmen slowly wended their way over the ranges, and with a last, long look on the picturesque country behind, they were soon speeding along with a homeward bound swing. The weather was again intensely hot, and Milton being overhauled at midday, two hours' rest was more than earned. Short stages were now the order of the day, Henley being made about 5 o'clock,' and " Home, sweet home" at 8 o'clock.

The whole trip only occupied eight days, and though some real hard work was done at "the outset, our friends were fully compensated by their pleasant stay at Catlins, and heartily recommend this tour to fellow wheelmen.