Pemberton to Ohingaiti.

Feilding Star, Volume XV, Issue 228, 1 February 1894, Page 2

Pemberton to Ohingaiti.

By "New Chum." "New Chum" having a nature remarkable for curiosity set out from Mr Lay's store, Pemberton, to do a cross* country ride to Ohingaiti. Leaving Mr Lay's store at noon, we soon travelled over a small space of level country, after which we surmounted a small hill, and. then our journey lay through a slightly unbroken country winding in and oat, up and down through valleys, over hills, until at last we break through the bush ground and enter a natural clearing . known as "Hammond's clearing," or Marshall's township. The country to this point, although unbroken, is of an excellent character for grass growing purposes. The grass then growing was chiefly cocksfoot, with a slight sprinkling . of rye and a mixture of beautiful clover. At Marshall's township we caught a glimpse of Mr T. Hammond's residence and farm, and were sorry we had not time enough to branch off at the junction. Mr J. D. McGregor's house came in for a share of our iview. The township of Marshall is very small, and constitutes only a few homes, one being that of Mr Goodwin, carrier between Pemberton and Feilding. He has ' a nice crop of oats, nearly ready for harvest, growing on his farm. A little further on we enter Mr W. Marshall's run, on whose property Mr Dick, from fiunnythorpe, has commenced brickmaking, and is turning out some excelent bricks, which must be of great value to that rising district. From here Mr W. Marshall hindly volunteered to pilot no over to Ohingaiti. We gladly accepted his offer, seeing that it would have been very difficult for us to find the way ourselves. "New Chum" plodded along on his old nag Tom quite merrily, boasting that he was never afraid to ride -J any bush, or rough tracks. On we went crossing some very nasty places and a mountainous country, sometimes on the highest summits, and then below following the bed of a noisy little brook. We had not proceeded far when " New Chum," viewing the track before him, begat* to get somewhat uncomfortable and quietly got off bis horse, muttering to himself, "If the horse rolls over I shan't go with it." Several times did our brave rider " New Chum " repeat the same thing while on this journey, though Mr Marshall stuck bravely to his steed. The weather was fine when we started out, but now the rain was pouring down in torrents, with the lightning flashing in our faces and the heavy peals of thunder rolling over our heads. We crossed through part of Mr Bryce's property, which is a good sheep country, but laying (as most of the land does about that part) too high for winter purposes, the cold taking such an effect upon it as to hinder the growth of grass considerably, but in the summer the grass grows at such a rapid rate that it can scarcely be eaten down. A very good feature of this bit of country is that it is beautifully watered by small creeks. The next property we entered was that of Mr McGregor, consisting of about 8,000 acres, part natural clearing. In this block of bush land we crossed a fine stretch of country almost level, and yielding a magnificient crop of grass, which would be hard to surpass in New Zealand. After going a short distance further a halt was made and we dismounted. Our guide gave orders that no horse was to be sent down till he called out. Immediately Mr McGregor disappeared down a steep . cutting, and no more was seen or heard of him or his horse until a voice from below echoed, "My horse| has slipped over the bank," shortly afterwards the voice sounded again, " Unhurt£horse safe, let go above." " New Chum " obeyed the command at once, and started his horse before him. When the poor animal, not being able to stand, sat down to its work and a few mements at this novel mode rendered its strength helpless and then it fell on its side to gain a short rest. Another start was made, and the horse this time instead of being able to turn a curve in the track, shot over the side of the bank, falling with considerable weight against a tree, whioh supported the animal. At last the horses again got safely on the track, and this time reached the bed of the Rangitikei river, on the place known as the Otairi ford. The Government has promised a sum of money towards erecting a bridge over the river at this place, and it is very much needed as within a short period of time no fewer than three lives have been lost in fording. We safely forded the river, and when again on the top of its banks we sighted Mr R. Hammond's new residence. The building is a splendid looking structure, and when finished will be the largest and best residence within many miles. It is a two storey building and consists of eighteen rooms in all. On this property there was a good crop of oats growing which Mr Hammond was about to cut. A few minutes longer and we arrived at Ohingaiti. "New Chum" thought this little bush town a queer place, with felled timber piled up in front of each shop and dwelling. The town consists of three hotels, two general stores, a bakery, stationery shop, and about fifty dwelling houses. A few hours .rest here and we journeyed to Hunterville, passin? through some excellent grass growing country, well adapted for sheep and cattle. The North Island Trunk Kailway line runs parallel with this road, but it very seldom comes into sight, as it is some distance away. At the Makohine stream the railway line runs almost over -head. Over this stream the Gov« eminent are going to build a viaduct, which is estimated to cost about jE86,000, its height being 170 feet and top length about five chains, the. bottom narrowing ipto abput 20 feet. This- .viaduct, it is said, will be the highest of -.its kind, in New Zealand when completed*- from here to Hunterville the road is good, aitKL^^ the cpuntry is well settled, it being well suited for small holdings. We reached Hunterville at 8 p.m., staying there all night, and continued ' our homeward journey through Major Marshall's run and via Onepuni's bridge to Feilding,