Visit to Tikitere.

New Zealand Graphic, Volume XXVI, Issue XXV, 22 June 1901, Page 4 (Supplement)

Visit to Tikitere.

The puke and Duchess of Cornwall and York, accompanied by a large party. made a visit to' Tikitere on Friday last, and expressed themselves much pleased with the excursion. The party totalled eightyfive in all, including the Governor, Lord Ranfurly, the Premier and other Ministers and members of Parliament. naval officers and other visitors, including the English pressmen. They were conveyed across the lake to the landing near Te Ngae, an old mission station, in the launches Hamurana and Hinemoa. Mr. H. R. MacDonald, master of the Hamurana, was the Duke's guide for the trip, and he explained all the sights of interest to the Royal visitors. The lake looked its best yesterday, with only a gentle ripple on its surface. The steamers skirted close by the beautiful island of Mokoia. The visitors were delighted with the rich green native vegetation and picturesque vegetation of the place, and the glimpses they obtained of the lovely Maori dwellings and plantations near the shore. Mr. MacDonald pointed out places of interest, including the locality of Hinemoa"s bath, and told the familiar story of Hinemoa and spot on the mainland from which Hinemoa set out on her memorable swim. The Duchess especially disher lover Tntanekai. and showed the played great interest in the place, and said she had read the legend, and was greatly pleased to see the historic spot. The place where Hongi Hika and his cannibal warriors landed eighty years ago and slaughtered the Arawas was also shown ns the launches steamed past the long |>oint known as Te Hnruhuru. on which most of the bouses on the island are

located. The party did not land on the island, but passed it sufficiently, elose to observe its beauties. On landing at the Ngae the party were conveyed in vehicles up to Tikitere, where the lion. Carroll showed most of the sights to the Royal visitors. The stay at Tikitere was limited to about a quarter of an hour, as darkness was coming on. Captain Post, of the Government steamer Tutanekai, put his foot accidentally through the sulphur crust, and narrowly escaped a severe scalding. The Hon. Ward also had a rather narrow squeak from a Scalding. it.iSas dart , when ' the party left they did hot get back to the hojxrt till after half-past" six, being .delayed 1 " , somewhat to onie of the Korses, in the Duke’s carridge breaking down through thi- heavy nature of the road. Thirteen of the party returned hy ~ steamers, and the rest by vehicles.