ROTORUA.

New Zealand Graphic, Volume XLVI, Issue 2, 11 January 1911, Page 65

ROTORUA.

January 6. The Holiday Season. With the exception of Christmas Day the weather on the whole has been glorious during the holidays. On New Year’s Day the Wairoa geyser was soaped, and responded magnificently for the benefit of about 2000 people, who braved the shocking dust of the Whaka road, and the blazing heat of Whaka itself. After the geyser display there was a perfect stampede for the kiosk. There were several lake picnics that day, chiefly amongst those who had seen the geyser’s eharms before. On New Year’s Eve a weird band patrolled the streets to a late hour, following close in the wake of the Hinemoa Brass Band. A genial party invaded the B.N.Z. to make merry with Mr. and Mrs. Flower, whose kindness and hospitality have already endeared them to the young people. The Rotorua Rowing Club held their annual sports meeting on Monday the 2nd, but with the contrariness for which it is noted,. Lake Rotorua decided to behave as badly as possible. The wind blew a gale all day. The rowing races had to be abandoned, and other events substituted. The crowd in the sheltered sanatorium gardens that day was very large.

It is reported that about 170 people did “ the round trip ” that day. The scene at the wharf every morning during the holidays was a busy one. Launch after launch putting off with eager excited “trip pers,” chattering and gesticulating, and the local picknickers making. their arrangements and looking on with mild amusement at the strangers. There have been conceits, dan. es and euchre parties galore at the various

boarding houses, and last Tuesday evening there was an excellent concert at the Fuinp Room of the new bath house. Several visitors contributed items, chief among them being Miss Berry, of Western Australia, and Mr. Lapper.

The Maori Mission Choir have been holding their attractive entertainments during the week, and meeting with god® and appreciative audiences. The Rev. F. Bennett presides, and his explanations of the different tableaux, etc., are most interesting. Mrs. Crowther, proprietress of Grande Vue, gave a large afternoon tea at Picnic Point in the Sanatorium gardents last week, when all tho Grande Vuo guests were invited, with a sprinkling of local people. Picnic Point is a delightful little spot on the outskirts of the gardens, quite close to the lake, and some farseeing souls planted willows there in the old days. Later on punga ferns were planted too, and these, with the tall manuka; make a lovely shady spot for picnic teas. Personal. Captain and Mrs. Frater and Miss Mary Frater (Parnell) are staying at Grande Vue). Mr. and Mrs. Arthur Holmes, of Wellington, are here. Archdeacon Tisdall has gone for a month’s leave. Mr. H. Tresize, of Wellington, is here. Professor and Mrs. Salmond and family, of Wellington, arc staying at Arawa House. Mr. and Mrs. A. Boult and Mrs. Gawler, of Auckland, are here for some weeks. Mrs. Colegrove and Miss Colegrove, of Auckland, are in Rotorua. Dr. Parkes and Mrs. Parkes, of Auckland, are staying at Waiwera House. Mr. E. K. Bloomfield, of Auckland, is at the Grand. Miss Adams, of Gisborne, is at the Grand at present. Amongst the motoring parties in Rotorua last week were: Mr. and Mrs. S. Russell, Mrs. and Miss Baber, and Mr. J. Wrigley, of Waihi. They came by Tauranga, and returned to Waihi by Okorire and Te Aroha, Judge Johnson, an old resident, is revisiting Rotorua for a short time. The Hon. Theodore Bruce and Mrs. Bruce have returned to Adeliade after

spending a holiday in Rotrua.

RATA.