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A Day at Otira
Christchurch Marist Brothers' School Excursion

(By Masters Albert Mahony and Donald Swanston.)

During a recent school picnic to the world-famed Otira Gorge, the following impression was gained by two young pupils of the Marist Brothers' School, Christchurch.

To relieve the mind and body from the monotony of every-day life, everyone, whether young or old, requires a day's outing occasionally.

A year of school work with tests and home-work is not always relished by the average school boy, but when, on condition that he makes good progress, he is offered a picnic, he settles down to honest hard work.

The Marist Brothers' school boys in Christchurch were overjoyed when their generous teachers informed them that arrangements had been made with the Railway Department for a picnic to Otira, at a ridiculously low charge. After a very stormy night the morning broke fine, and long before the time of departure had arrived, the railway station platform was a mass of smiling faces, all looking forward to a great day.

On that memorable morning, at 8.20 a.m., the Otira excursion train, bearing its happy quota of cheering children, and the writers of this brief article, steamed out of the Christchurch station. Although at the outset the sky did not give indications of a very favourable day, it did not in any way dampen our ardour, and, as we reached the more open country, the sun shone brightly. At almost every country station we could see small groups of well-wishers who cheered us on our way.

At Springfield station, sandwiches and steaming hot tea were partaken of. After refreshment we resumed our journey, and the countryside began to unfold to us the glories of Nature. It was not long before we had a grand view of the famous Waimakariri, while the many tunnels en route caused a lot of interest and merriment to the young people. As the locomotive puffed on over great page 35 viaducts we gazed down in wonderment on the scenes below.

From then on, till the train steamed into Arthur's Pass, there were many exclamations about the wonderful mountain scenery along this line of railway.

At the latter station we were welcomed by a shower of rain, and for those who were somewhat faint-hearted about taking the popular walk over the Gorge, the bad weather served as a good excuse to remain in the carriages. However, the more stout-hearted, and there were many, the majority being boys, accompanied by their teachers, set off on that famous walk over the “Hill.”

Before we had travelled very far the rain ceased, so with lighter hearts we trudged along, viewing the ever-changing scenery and looking with wonderment at the various shrubs and trees, peculiar to the Gorge. The mountains, glaciers, waterfalls, and streams all presented a beautiful scene.

What a wonderful day it was, as we tramped on through the bush, gathering ferns and flowers, or listening to our little feathered songsters, chief among which was the “mocking bird,” and it was with feelings of regret that we made our exit from the mountains.

Arriving at Otira station without mishap we joined those who had trained through the tunnel. Our praise of the magnificent scenery which they had missed must have left them envious.

At about 4.30 p.m. we left Otira, and made merry on our homeward journey, once more enjoying the thrills of passing through the tunnels.

All too soon Christchurch station was reached, and, although everybody was happy, the boys, at least, were showing signs of weariness. Needless to say, all tracks led to our respective homes, where we retired early to recall and enjoy again the incidents of a perfect day's outing.