EXCURSION TO OAMARU.

Otago Witness, Issue 2808, 8 January 1908, Page 66

EXCURSION TO OAMARU.

The s.s. Tarawera carried a full comple* ment of excursionists to Oamaru on New, Year's Day, about 1100 making the trip, and the popularity of the excursion is shown by the fact that many had the misfortune to be left behind. Within 15 minutes 6f the time appointed for her departure the Tarawera cast off, and those on board .settled down to enjoy the lovely panoramic view of Dunedin and the harbour. Onco -outside *he Heads it was seen that a calm trip was in store for the excursionists, and as the atmospheric con; ditions were favourable, glasses and binocu- , lars were in frequent use spying out the familiar landmarks. The " M'Kenzie*Cairn could t>o seep- -oat in bol<l -treK<;£ - against the eky.- This arid the- usual* fun and merry-making, together with -music by tjje band, -passed the time' fery pleasantly, fill the vessel's arrival" at the White City.. Many of. tho residents -were congregated on the new wharf, expecting the boat to be berthed there; but this was not to be. and they had perforce to walk a fairly long distance" to to the old! jetty. It would! have perhaps,* suited Ihe excursionists better v tthe boat had berthed at the new wharf, ac they would then have had lesa ' distance to travel to town. The two bourß.spell in Oamara waa mainly spent satisfy* ing tho inner man and strolling round ±9 town and through the beautif ul gardens, where everything was ut dp-top order. Bjr 3.30 all the excursionists re-embarked for the return journey, which all concerned declared to be as enjoyable as the outward ono. At times ihe Tarawera- was playing ate pitch and toss, but the amount of seasick* ness was comparatively small. Shortly after leaving Oamaru the excursionists were; treated to the unusual opportunity of seeing) a man go up in a balloon and descend! gently to terra flrma with tho aid -of aj 'parachute. This turned out to be ijhq balloon sent up from ,the local sport* ground. Dunedtn was reached shortly bei fore 9 o'clock, everyone appearing pleased! with the dayVoutingf. Prafae is dv© ta the captain, officers, andt those concerneci. in the running of tiie boat. No accident? of' any kind occurred Jo max the pleasura of the trip. ,

Tho Farm Labour Conciliation Board heard some very interesting 1 statements aif^ Timaru last week -Tom men who havd established themselves as independent. farm* era by means of a few years' saving's. " One^ \ an Australian, was able to get &' aO-actfS dairy farm after two. and a-hafi years' TKOrg - for others. Another had ,gpt a 60-a-oira dairy farm after 10 years' t wol>k for othera. A third now farms 208 acresi having begun, nine -years ago after » somewiiat lonjre* period o.f saving.. '