THROUGH WAIOURU DISTRICT

Dominion, Volume 4, Issue 1188, 25 July 1911, Page 8

THROUGH WAIOURU DISTRICT

OBSERVATIONS ON ITS PROGRESS. fFrom Our Travelling Correspondent.) Right out on the open plain at last! After leaving Waiouru the road descends for some distance. The railway station is 2(i(iU feet above sea level, and the U'aiouru homestead (Air. Chapman's) is about 3000 feet up. The views of Kuanehu from various points on the road are' delightful. . There had been a sharp frost during the night, consequently the air was very clear, and what slight breeze there was came from the east, not laden with smoke. The air was ta clear that one could pick out the rocks and trees on tho slope of tho mountain for a long way up, and sec stock grazing miles away. There are a. good many rabbits in tho district. Tho day 1 got to Waiouru I saw the rabbiter come in. He had something like fifteen or twenty dogs, and a pack-horse laden with rabbits, which had Ueeii run down by the dogs. Of course, they do not neglect poisoning on Waiouru, but both methods nre used to keep the pest under.

When i last rode through to Itactihi, sonio four years ago, all this high country was dotted over with tents, occupied by thoso peoplo who were brought out from Home in the (lead of winter, and set down ill this vigorous climate, to work on tho railway, They had a terrible time—poor women and children planted in the bitter winter weather, and having to live in tents. In many places sites were excavated in the pumice for the tents. These tents were a little more sheltered, of course. Now, .not a tent is left. Only here and there arc seen the usual signs of n camp site—jam tins, hsh tins, broken crockery, empty bottles, old billies, and it always seems to me a strange thing, but old boots are ever a featuro of a disused'cainp. On my last trip' all was rush and activity; on the road a succession of drays, wagons, and other vehicles; to-day not a soul for miles, an utterly deserted country, till I heard the railway whistle, and saw the train slowly crawl up a cutting on its way to Tauuiarunui. The next station is Tangiwai, quite on the open plain. There are several railway dwellings here, a nice enough place to live in during the delightful summer weather, but I should think quite the reverse in winter.

After riding on for a short distance, my horse pricked up his ears. I knew ho wanted a drink, but.when we reached the Wangaehii I saw a notice board, stating: "All persons are warned from allowing stock to drink from this river, as it contains poisonous properties," so I had to keep a tight rein. The last time when he put his head down for a drink he lilted it very quickly, as the stench .was vcrv bad that day, nnd the water quite mifkv. This time there was no smell, and "the water was quite clear.