DIFFICULT TRAMP MADE THROUGH THE UREWERA

Bay of Plenty Beacon, Volume 14, Issue 85, 13 January 1950, Page 5

DIFFICULT TRAMP MADE THROUGH THE UREWERA

Although presenting some difficulties there were no real perils on the route, and any properly equipped tramper with a knowledge of bush conditions could make the journey in comparative safety, said Mr T. Shout, warden at Tongariro National Park, when interviewed after a recent tramp through the Urewera Country. Starting from Waimana Mr Shout travelled through 52 miles of thickly wooded and rough country by way of a bush track to Papatotara. One real essential, he pointed out, was to be well informed, before setting out on the journey, regarding the 20-mile stretch between Tawhana and Maungapohatu, where tracks destroyed by pig rooting, could cause a great deal of trouble to trampers. Over the section of 12 miles from Waimana to Matahi a well-formed road can be followed but beyond Matahi its maintenance has been neglected and is now not open to other than horse transport. Unpleasant Travel For the first mile beyond Tawhana the Waimana River is forded 19 times, but in no case does the water depth exceed two feet, and in normal conditions these crossings are both safe and simple. The track vises to the Waimana-Whakatane watershed, and this portion of the track makes the travelling somewhat laboured and unpleasant.

Once over the divide the descent into the headwaters of the Whakatane River is easy and rapid. The final section of 12 miles includes the crossing of two ranges and the wading of about a mile of shallow waterway. Favourable conditions prevail over the whole distance, there being no dearth of dry, sheltered- spots, with an abundance of water and firing. Describing Maungapohatu, onetime stronghold of Rua, Mr Shout said that it occupies some 3000 to 4000 acres of what was once a fine block of grazing country developed from heavy bush, but over the years it has gone back, and, with the exception of a few hundred acres, is now covered with heavy bracken fern. A few cattle are grazed and some small areas are cropped to meet local requirements. Since the authorities seized flocks to pay fines imposed on Rua, sheep have not been grazed on these lands of the Tuhoe people.

Young People Move Out At the peak of its glory this hidden village sheltered a population of more than 1000 Maoris, but with the march of time that number has dwindled and today’s tally would not reach the half-hundred.

As the young people come to maturity they move out and as there is no inward migration the people must eventually vanish and the country return to its once jungle state.

Mr Shout said that the; pa is nicely laid out and well kept., It is at an altitude of 3000 feet. The large meeting-house and all buildings have been made from the best of timber, all of it pit-sawn. The village school, with a rollcall of a neat dozen, is under the control of Mr L. L. Pettigrew. Mr and Mrs Pettigrew and their two-year-old son are the only pakeha residents, and in addition to his school duties, Mr Pettigrew fills the position of postmaster, social security agent, Presbyterian missioner, as well as being a dispenser of medicines and general adviser on all matters pertaining to the welfare of the community. Mrs Pettigrew, a fully-qualified teacher, assists.

Rua’s Burial Ground Mr Shout was accompanied on his tramp by his eldest daughter, Mrs Olive Bunch, of Te Awamutu. They left Waimana and after making calls at the Matahi pa, the burial ground of Rua, and at an adjacent Presbyterian 1 mission where 65 Maori children are being educated, good progres was made ideal weather conditions. They tramped the last 12 miles and, after reaching the main road, caught the bus for Rotorua. Mr Shtmt said that he could recommend the trip to trampers. It •afforded an opportunity to see the real wild life of New Zealand in virgin bush country. With suitable rifles people could live off the land on wild pork.