FARMERS’ EXCURSION

Southland Times, Issue 20670, 17 December 1928, Page 6

FARMERS’ EXCURSION

SOUTHLAND TO THE NORTH ISLAND. UNION EXECUTIVE INTERESTED. Some time ago a proposal was put forward by the Railway* Department for the conducting of a farmers’ excursion trip from Southland and Otago to the North Island. The original suggestion was that the excursion should coincide with the Waikato Winter Show about the beginning of June, but as this clashed with the Otago Show, the proposal was out of the question as far as farmers in that province were concerned. Mr G. Greig, business agent of the Department in Dunedin, has now worked out a tentative itinerary for a slightly later excursion, which is as follows: Tuesday, June 16, 1929, leave Invercargill travel to Lyttelton; Wednesday, arrive Wellington travel to Hamilton; Thursday and Friday, in Hamilton; Saturday, travel to Rotorua; Sunday and Monday, at Rotorua; Tuesday, travel to Auckland; Wednesday and Thursday, at Auckland; Friday, travel to Hangatiki, visit Waitomo Caves; Saturday, travel to Wellington; Sunday and Monday, at Wellington; Tuesday, July 2, arrive Lyttelton, return to Invercargill. The return trip to Wellington provided for a visit to the Massey Agricultural College. The total cost of the excursion to each person would be approximately £2O, made up as follows:—Railway fares £5 16/5, steamer fares £2 10/-, Waitomo, motor and guide 13/6, Rotorua, sightseeing and motor £l, accommodation, 13 days at 12/6, £8 10/-, a total for these items of £lB 9/11. When the matter was first before the Southland executive of the Farmers’ Union, it was decided to ascertain whether the Department would consider the extension of tickets. At Saturday’s meeting, a circular containing the above information’ was received and Mr Greig advised with reference to the inquiry of the executive that in case of past excursions no extension had been permitted. The Department’s viewpoint being that as specially cheap fares were quoted and as special arrangements regarding transport had to be made, it was desirable that the party should keep together throughout the tour. It was decided to approve of the itinerary submitted.