THE ROUTES TO ALBERTLAND.

Albertland Gazette, Issue 5, 1 October 1863, Page 3

THE ROUTES TO ALBERTLAND.

II VIA MANGA WAI. I Thereare a Tariety of routes to Port Albert I (and we purpose describing them for the bey pefit of our town readers who may? intend \ coming up here. Knowing most if not all of

them intimately; we can-speak with confidence as to their relative feasibility. We will commence with that .which is decidedly the best at present, viz. via Mangawai. Twice weekly, the ■ traveller will find a vessel at Auckland Wharf for Mangawai, either the Vision, Capt. Hopper, or TU m Three Brothers, Capt. Seymour. The'charge is 10s. each passenger, and 10a. per ton for goods, provisions are included,.and there is a limited cabin on each vessel. The voyage lasts from 8 hours to a day or two, the distance about 60 miles, and the East coast is kept in view all the way. . . The place known as Mangawai is 4 miles up-a tidal creek, and contains two houses, Mooney's (licensed,) and Dennison's (lessee of the ferry,) both keep stores and accommodate travellers; it would be invidious to institute a comparison between them, we have staid frequently at both, and been very comfortable, so if the traveller wishes to remain all night he must make his choice, and next morning they will ferry him if high water, by boat to Bentley's Point, but at low water ho can walk over dry-shod. Up hill and down hill for four and a half miles the road winds along in a very trying manner to Te Aral. But from these hills a most magnificent view is obtained of the ocean; northwards are the rocks known as the " Poor Knights," and opposite the Mangawai harbour are the "Hen and Chickens," another series of.rugged and precipituous rocks jutting out of the water; southward, the eye ranges over the sandy coast to Cape Rodney, beyond that again is the "Little Barrier." As. we approach Te Arai we pass the residence of Capt. Moir who is away at the " front ;" a little beyond again is Mr. Griffin's, whohas followed the gallant captain. Near this is $c Arai Church, aneat but unpretending strucfiuWat the commencement of the Oruawharo block, this portion was however sold before the arrival of the Noncons. Mr. T. G. Shepherd has^ a beautiful homestead here, well-fenced round, and near to is Mr. Close's situate in a hollow at the corner where a road turns to the left towards the PaMri bush, &c. ■« Close's" is where the Mails are left for Paparoa and for Port Albert. The writer being the mail carrier, arrives here every Monday forenoon, and we will suggest that his company,will be found useful.to the stranger anxious to arrive speedily, besides a companion beguiles the time a little. _ We go down the hill before us crossing the bridge at foot, keeping: on the maori track parallel with the road, and one mile from Close's we come to the 'Waititi Bridge, this stream flowing to the southward, is a tributary of the Hoteo, and is the boundary, of Albertland. We well remember the enthusiasm with which we first saw.this stream, comparing it to the Jordan. Over this are two roads, the one going forward is the bullock track, lying between lots 39 and 40, but the one on the left, along the boundary of 40 •will save nearly a mile. We take this and here we have three swamps to cross in succession. If without a guide you should head them on the right; the first two are very bad and deep, on emergingI,from.the third,, and just opposite, the end of the bush is the corner peg of 40, where the road turns up the hill to the right; as weturn.the top, we catch the first view of Basford Grange, Mr. West's; a large weatherboard house on the right of and a little distance from the road. Following the windings of the road overttwo ranges for two .miles further, again on the right, under the bush-side, are the residences of Mr. Wharfe and his sons, a very prominent feature

in the landscape, which may be scon for many miles distance. We always call here on our way and have a gossip. The Great North' Road crosses here, and passing-Wharfo's enters a 7 mile bush where the road is literally cut out half:chain wide, and cleared of all branches and undergrowth. The new comerwhoseeks a "sensation" may take a walk up here without fear of disappointment. Several allotments in this bush are not yet taken up. From Wharfo's the road is over hill and gully in a most rambling fashion; on the top. - of the next range is a track to the left which will tend towards our destination but is very long and roundabout; here looking to the right on a hill side you will sec a whare, this is Mrs. Catlin's; poor woman, she is struggling literally alone to convert the wilderness, into Paradise! may she succeed. Not long ago, a party of native gum diggers fired thofern in seeking for gnni, it spread to her frail whare and burnt it, her tent, and nearly every thing she possessed, but nothing daunted, sho is persevering yet. We cannot help saying that we admireher courage. A short distance on the rise of the hill, the road diverges to tho right to Mr. Dudding's near the head of the Mai Nene Creek, where the traveller can have accomodatio,n or hire a boat wherewith to proceed. We however still keep on the road, and passing along the foot of Mount Albert for a mile and half, suddenly catch the firstglimpse of the Oruawharo River. Here at the Landing, is Mr. Houghton's house and farm, 4 miles from Wharfe's, 6 from West's, 10 from Close's, and U% from Mangawai. ~ We are still 9 miles from Port Albert, but we cannot say more on this occasion than that the scenery as we sail down the river is delightful, and as tide and weather serves, one to .two hours will bring us to our journey's end. We will however resume the subject at an ; early date.