The four hundred excursionists from Wellington who invaded Wanganui on Saturday, 5th November, will carry away with them delightful recollections of their visit to Taranaki's River Town.

Several factors contributed to make the outing a marked success. In the first place, the exceptionally well thought out. The trip was essentially one to give the people of the capital city a chance to see something of the wonders of the Wanganui River. The Railway Department consequently completed arrangements with the river boat proprietors (Messrs. Hatrick & Co.) for concession rates on the river, and also cut the ordinary railway tariff in half. Having done this a combined ticket was issued, providing for return rail journey, return train seats, river trip to Parakino Pa with lunch and afternoon tea on the boat, all for £1 11s. 8d. 1st class, and £1 4s. 4d. 2nd class. The combination of charges, with low fares and wide publicity to make the people know fully what was available, proved irresistible, with the result that the Department had to close down on bookings before the excursion train started, in order that the party might be kept within the limits of accommodation available on the three river boats-the “Waione,” the “Ohura” and the “Wakopai.”

At Day's Bay.

The heavens seemed riven with the rush and roar
(The ceaseless throbbing of the city's heart
With life exultant), and in street and mart
Sights stabbed the eye the heart must needs deplore.

I sought surcease in tomes of ancient lore,
in study of the beautiful in art;
But ah, my spirit struggled to depart
And dwell with Nature face to face once more.

Here hath my soul her sweet nepenthe found!
And joys to list, as hours unheeded pass,
The bush-dove's drowsy notes, the hum of bee,

The tui's trill, the rustling trees around,
The wind-waked murmur of the toi-toi grass,
The ever-varying music of the sea.

Another innovation that was greatly appreciated was the arrangement made by the Railway for hotel or boarding house accommodation to suit the visitors. Lists of hotels and tariffs were obtained and passengers booking for the trip were given a wide selection to draw from. Having made their choice cards were filled in and the accommodation booked accordingly.

A fast run was scheduled from Wellington, the journey to Wanganui (150 miles), taking only 5 hours 20 minutes. The train leaving Wellington had a total of 14 vehicles-good cars of the modern type now provided on the Main Trunk expresses. To most of the travellers the district beyond Palmerston North was new, and expresions of surprise were general regarding the richness of the country through which the railway route runs on its way to Wanganui. There was no change over at Aramoho, the Wanganui Excursion Train running direct into Wanganui Station soon after six on Saturday evening, having left Wellington at one o'clock and making stops only at Levin, Palmerston North and Feilding. On the journey the “Wanganui” folder, supplied by the corporation of Wanganui, was distributed through the train by the Department's officers. Much interest was also created by the distribution of a handbill headed “Boys! Boys! Boys!” informing everyone of the fireworks display arranged for Cook's Gardens the same evening.

The Railway Business Agents (Messrs. W. A. Marshall, J. Pringle and J. McDonald) also made a canvass of the train on the run, to ensure that everyone had his accommodation pre-arranged, and this precaution proved very helpful, for almost fifty were found who had taken no steps to secure accommodation for the night. By wiring ahead, the Wanganui Traffic Inspector (Mr. Husie) was able to arrange for these late comers.

Arrived at Wanganui, the travellers found a host of friends on the platform to meet them, and within a few moments all the people had started off to their respective hotels, where page 7 reduced rates had also been arranged to make the trip more attractive.

This is the first occasion upon which the Railway Department has initiated a trip of the kind to Wanganui, and its complete success gives every encouragement to the Department to repeat the experiment at an early date. Wanganui people are already wondering whether they will be afforded a similar opportunity to visit Wellington in the near future. ^*

The visitors were provided for by the Corporation Buses running on observation trips after dinner, and those who made this inspection of the town by night had the benefit of Guy Fawkes illuminations from various vantage points on the run.

The Sarjeant Art Gallery, which was specially kept open for the occasion, also attracted much attention, whilst the picture theatre, dance halls and supper rooms were splendidly patronised.

It appears that quite a number decided not to let “summer-time” steal upon them unawares, for they stayed up to “change clocks” at the witching hour of two a.m. But this did not prevent the full quota reaching the river pier at nine a.m. (summer-time) to join one of the three river-steamers provided for the trip.

A total of just over four hundred made the river journey, and general were the expressions of delight as the various stretches of river opened up in the course of the run.

A Maori member of the party (Mr. Takarangi) undertook to explain the historical features of the various places passed. The zest with which he entered into this work, his graphic power of description, animated action, fervour, and wholesouled attention to the job upon which he was engaged, pleased and interested all who had the privilege of being within range of his voice. Thus was the time whiled away, with story and conversation as the three steamers wound their way among the hills or through straight stretches such as the three mile course where Webb and Arnst tried conclusions for the world's sculling

Wanganui River-On the Way to Parakino Pa.
(Photo by W. H. Raine)

page 8 championship. Although retired from the active championship list, Webb still may be seen at times keeping himself fit on the river to which in former years his prowess did so much to attract the world's attention.

“Kemp's pole” was one of the most interesting historical features seen on the journey. This pole is about 50 feet high and is embellished with rich carvings of Maori art. It was erected to mark the spot which Major Kemp agreed with the Maoris should indicate the highest point of European control on the river. Above that point Europeans in the old days ventured at their peril.

Luncheon had been served in the saloon by the time Parakino Pa was reached, and there almost all the excursionists disembarked to see the evidences of native life, to mingle with the Maoris, and to enjoy the hakas, dances and songs put on for the entertainment of the visitors. The Publicity Department had their movie camera man with the party, whilst a full bench of amateur photographers wandered around the village, snapping everything that smacked of the unusual, and revelling in the opportunity thus afforded of adding to their collection of personal records of places they had been to, and people they had met. The Maoris entered into the spirit of the thing and cheerfully posed in all kinds of attitudes to please their new pakeha friends. The return journey was even more successful than the outward one, for by now all the travellers were mixing more freely and entering heartily into the holiday spirit that is so necessary for the full enjoyment of an outing of the kind.

The train load of passengers left Wanganui at 7 o'clock the same night. They had an excellent run to Wellington, with a stop at Palmerston North for refreshments. Trams, taxis, and buses met the train on its arrival in the city soon after midnight. The excursionists carried away with them vivid recollections of a delightful holiday spent amidst the glories of the River which has made New Zealand famous, and the River town that has a reputation for hospitality which the experience of the present visit will serve only to enhance.

A Glorious Reach on the Wanganui.
Photo by W. H. Raine

Scene in the beautiful Pukekura Park, New Plymouth.
(N. Z. Publicity Dept. Photo.)