A Trip to Tiniroto.

Gisborne Times, Volume V, Issue 42, 19 February 1901, Page 2

A Trip to Tiniroto.

(By a Travelling Correspondent.) Tiniroto, situated on the Gisborne-Wairoa road, about fifty miles from the former town, is one of the most picturesque and romantic spots in the whole of Poverty Bay. Its romantic picturesqueness is principally duo to tho numerous small lakes which are dotted about in tho hollows among the undulating Hills which are characteristic of this particular locality. Overlooking some of these lakes many of the farmers about Tiniroto have built their residences, and as the spectator gazes upon f the weeping willows dipping their drooping leaves into the calm waters of one of those lakes, and watches tho teal and wild duck swimming hither and thither and building their nests among tho raupo which grows in abundance round tho boundaries of tho lakes, one cannot but bo struck by the quiet picturesqueness of the whole scone. And the time is bound to come, owing to its natural healthiness, when Tiniroto will bo turned into a sanatorium where persons desirous of obtaining a rest from the worries and strain of business, etc., may come for a holiday, and regain frosh health and strength. At present Tiniroto consists of a moderate sized hotel and a small store combined now owned by Mr Harvey, a schoolhousc’, and a number of farmers’ homesteads dotted about in the vicinity of the township. Tho principal of these aro Messrs Whyte (of light railway fame), Kent, Clayton, King, Spence, and Sinton. Notwithstanding that the Tiniroto people have a weekly coach service to and fro between Wairoa and Gisborne, they cannot yet boast of a telephone. Considering that the telephone has now reached Waerenga-o-kuri and Hangaroa, it is only fair to the Tiniroto peoplo that it should be carried on to this township. But there is a very sufficient reason why the Tiniroto people have not got the telephone. The truth is that they are not the “ right color.” In fact, it is reported that they were so united in their determination to vote for the Opposition candidate at the last election that Mr Carroll politely told them to go to a warm region, and that ho was not going to bother to address them at all. So it is hardly likely that our worthy member will pay much - attention to then- wants. Though I think it only fair to the general public that a member, once ho gets into power, should advocate whatever is best for his district generally, irrespective of personal differences, r [is not that Mr Carroll’s strong point?] There is abundance of feed for stock all through the district about Tiniroto. In fact, in most of the paddocks the grass has run to seed, and tho stock are in excellent condition. Evidently, Tiniroto farmers havo learned that it pays a groat doal better to under-stock than to overstock. And as the winter about here is usually rather severe, thero frequently being snow upon the ground for a week or more, the successful farmer requires to go into the winter with plenty of feed. The present road between Waqrenga-o-kuri and Tiniroto is very rough and up and down hill with continual steep grades, but a new road, viz. Hangaroa, is now in courso of formation, which it is said will yield a better grade, as well as being a shorter road.

There is still a considerable area of fertile working bush country, stretching away from the road out towards the East Coast between Parakanapa Mr F. 1 Lysnar’s station—and Tiniroto. When this country is cleared and stocked, it'will add materially to the wealth of this part of Poverty Bay. I have never seen the grassed country along this road looking better than at present ;in fact, the whole / country practically has run to seed and the feed is still green. The Waerenga-o-kuri Hotel has now changed hands, Mr S. Morrison having taken over the lease from Mr Long. As Mr Morrison has previously followed up the business of a blacksmith and wheelright, he seems to be kept pretty busy in the blacksmith’s shop, which he took over with the hotel. Mrs Morrison having several daughters to assist her in tho management of the hotel, is able to offer travellers every comfort. The manner in which the dining table is kept struck me as one of the best I have come across in my calls at country hotels. Waerenga-o-kuri, being high above sea level, is considered a very healthy place for invalids,