HAMILTONIAN ON TOUR.

Waikato Times, Volume 100, Issue 16711, 29 January 1926, Page 9

HAMILTONIAN ON TOUR.

HOLIDAY AT TAUPO. j A WONDERFUL RESORT. Despite the counter-attractions afforded by the Dunedin Exhibition, an exceptionally large number of holiday-makers have visited Taupo this season, and the hotel proprietors and storekeepers report that they have had a very busy time. A Hamilton resident spent several enjoyable days at Taupo last weekLeaving Hamilton by service car, which connected with the south-bound daylight limited at Frank ton shortly after 10 o'clock, he went via Cambridge, Hora Hora, Arapuni, to Putaruru. The road to Putaruru was in excellent order all the way, with the exception of the stretch between Cambridge and Hora Hora. This road is fairly hilly and the rain and traffic have worn the surface considerably in places. The road, however, is quite dry and was negotiated without difficulty. Sir W. G. Armstrong, Whitworth and Co., Ltd.. have maintained the Arapuni-Putaruru road in perfect order, and have incidentally provided an object-lesson to local bodies throughout the Waikato. It is not long since the thoroughfare between Putaruru and Arapuni was similar in condition to other farmers' roads in the district. By the application of business-like methods and the judicious expenditure of money the Arapuni contractors have succeeded where local bodies had failed. And this success was achieved in spite of the.dearth of metal, which has been the principal handicap in connection with road-making in the Waikato for many years.

Road Greasy in Wet Weather.

Metalling operations are being carried out on, between Putaruru and Lichfield, a stretch of road that was nearly impassable last winter. During the rainy weather last week portions of the road not yet surfaced with hard material became very greasy, and chains had to be used. In dry weather the road offers no difficulty to motorists. A steady high speed may be maintained over the 30-mile length of pumice road from Lichfield to Atiamuri. The country along this road is level, uncultivated, and uninhabited, and is covered with tussock and scrub. It has a somewhat desolate and uninteresting appearance, which is only relieved by the droves of wild horses to be seen grazing there. An afforestation company has acquired large areas of this country, and are shooting off the wild horses preparatory to planting the land in- trees. When these trees have grown the landscape should be much improved and the 1 prospect from the car should be very pleasing. The Atiamuri deviation is in sp'lendid order, and for two miles the dar runs down an incline without the aid of the engine. Refreshments may be had at Atiamuri. When the j.ourney is resumed hilly country is encountered. Parts of the road are good, while in other stretohes the application of the grader is badly needed. There is one steep incline of less than a chain between Atiamuri and Oranui which presents a pitfall to the unwary motorist. Several cars have been held up there this summer, and have had to be assisted out. With the aid of chains the quagmire can be negotiated without much trouble. There is no need for chains on the return journey, for the car slides through the mud on its own momentum. The remainder of the journey to Taupo is easy going over quite gqod roads, and the passengers' destination is reached in good time for dinner.

Vivid Impressions at Taupo. The tourist visiting Taupo for the first time receives many vivid impressions that linger . in the memory. Taupo is a place of distances. One hotel is two miles from the post-office, while another is still further away. Cottages are huilt along the shores of the lake at distances varying from a few chains to .many miles from the township. Anyone looking for friends camped at Taupo should know the exact location of the encampment before starting to seek them. Although the road from Hamilton to Taupo is fairly level and in reasonably good order, of every 10 people who visit the resort during the summer nine travel over the hilly and dangerous road from Napier. The traffic from Napier to Taupo is very much greater than that between Hamilton and Taupo, although the latter is equidistant between the capitals of the Waikato and Hawke's Bay, and the northern road affords much easier travelling. Taupo appears to be regarded as Napier's chief holiday resort, while it depends on Napier for most of its requirements. Many overseas visitors and through New Zealand tourists are to be found at Taupo hotels, while quite a number of Auckland residents have cottages near at hand. A remarkable change has been wrought at Taupo during the last decade or two. An old photograph depicts Taupo as level grass-clad country with every dwelling visible for miles. At present the township is covered with broom and pinus insignis, and its appearance is most deceptive. It is impossibe to ascertain its size at a glance, and only by traversing the many roads which intersect the country can the number of houses and cottages and the size of its tent population be gauged. The business people of Taupo are exceedingly fortunate in that they have the great summer trade they transact thrust upon them. Tourist bureaus, acclimatisation societies, car service proprietors, the newspapers, and a paternal Government all combine to make Taupo's wonders known. One expected to find a wealth of illustrated and informative literature concerning the natural beauties of the resort and its unique and splendid attractions. In this resppct the visitor was disappointed. In fact, it takes sonic days to learn "the rim of the ropes,'- and as the hotel population is a continually changing one nad the hotel people arc exceedingly busy, it is quite easy for a visitor to miss some of the sights. Incomparable for a* Rest. For a quiet rest Taupo is incomparable. A retired British officer, an enthusiastic angler, has visited Taupo annually for years, and slates .unhesitatingly that as a holiday resort he prefers it before any other place in the world, while he regards it as an angler's paradise. Running through Ibe grounds of one accommodation house is a hot water stream which is lapped by two swimming baths. Bathins is a most delightful pastime and is available at all times of the day or night. The water has no disagreeable or enervating effects and is remarkably beneficial to anyone recuperating his strength. Near at hand Hows the Waikato' River, in the opinion of many the finest river in New Zealand. The Wanganui has its peculiar attractions, .AiuLJliese are. very fine and have been

well advertised. The Wanganui, nor" any- other river in Now Zealand, has anything to compare with the fascinating charms of the Waikato. The pellucid waters near Taupo with the deep pools, swirling rapids, and variegated bed captivate the visitors and i-.se a source :;of endless delight. Further downstream there are the wild Aratiatia rapids, the thunderous Huka Falls, the rapids at Ongdroto and Hora Hora, the Arapuni Gorge, and the delightful willow-fringed waters, of the lower reaches. At Taupo, again, there is much thermal activity, and mud pools, steaming, cliffs, - geysers and abound..- Crow's Nest, which is situated hear the rivqr within two miles of Lake Taupo, is.a source, of mever-ending. interest. It plays every" 2* hours, and throws up water in a'beautiful spray to a height of 20" feet. Voumes of steam accompany the water. The geyser plays for from 10 to 15 minutes, and makes from five to 15 emissions at a time. It presents an awe-inspiring sight and fascinates visitors, causing them to return again and again to see it. _ : Trout Not so Plentiful. Anglers report that trout in the lake and river are not providing the sport this year that they have done in previous years. One enthusiast voiced the.'opinion that the lake needed restocking with fresh blood. He also Stated that it was too early to find the fish in the best condition for providing good sport and that another month should be. allowed. The action of the Government in setting aside one of the best fishing streams running into the lake for the use of. Maoris, unless a special license fee is paid, and the freedom given to the Maoris to fish how and when they like in the lake is adversely criticised by anglers, who expressed the opinion that this license was calculated to affect the overseas tourist traffic to the detriment of New Zealand, The catches reported at Taupo during last week have not been very large, and the fish generally speaking, have only' been in fair condition and of average size: Fairly large trout can be seen swimming in the lake and river, and are of great interest to anglers and. nonanglers alike. To take full advantage of the attractions of Taupo one needs means by which he can travel on the lake and to the various sights by road. It is a wonderful holiday resort, and the visitor is given the impression that with tbe exercise of greater private enterprise on the .part of those living in the .place the number of visitors each summer and autumn could be trebled in a very little '-",