ON THE EAST COAST.

Gisborne Times, Volume X, Issue 949, 23 July 1903, Page 2

ON THE EAST COAST.

from;opotiki to tauranga.

(By Our Special Correspondent.) No. 10.

The following morning, after obtaining fresh steeds and buggy, we set our faces for ‘ Tauranga. Leaving Opotiki wo travelled over its flats inland for a fow miles. Then we emerged through a few sand hills on to a wide, hard, and level beach. This made travelling easy for a time, until we reached the Waiotaki river, where we met our first obstruction. Owing to being half-tide the river was not fordable ; so again we struck inland and crossed on a bridge. After a while we again made the beach, and traversed the fine, smooth sand for fully five miles, when we arrived at Port Ohiwa. This port is a natural one with a large body of water. It is a fine harbor. The neck or entrance to the harbor is fairly deep, and has a width of about 23 ohains. Vessols having a draught of 12 feet could enter the harbor at full tide. It has been suggested that this harbor will be the sole port and outlet for all the lands, Whakatane to Motu and inland, but I fail to see where the country is to benefit by such a change. The Motu trade in particular I don’t think will ever work its way to Ohiwa. In the first place it would be 20 miles furthor to cart or rail produce from Motu to Ohiwa, than Motu to Gisborue. And the second objection would be the heavy coastal charges on produce, that is always made by small vessels. Such steamers as now trade to Gisborne, currying cheap freight, will not have sufficient inducement offered thorn to call at Ohiwa. This is not to say that Ohiwa’s trade will not increase. Without doubt it must increase as settlement progresses, and in time larger vessels will trade there than are doing at present. But Gisborne has nothing to fear in Ohiwa as a rival, in fact I fully believe Gisborne s trade will extend still further inland, more especially if the railway is pushed forward and settlers are thus enoouraged to pay their attention to Gisborne. So much for Ohiwa and harbor. Our appetites were getting sore pressed so we adjourned to the Ohiwa Hotel for lunch. After having satisfied the inner mau, we hailed our ferry man, who, with his usual activity and strength, placed our buggy across his boat and pulled strong and long till the other shore was reached. After depositing his load safely, he again returned to us. Removing the gear from our nags and replacing it in the boat, wo took our seats in the boat, holding tightly to the reins of our horses as our ferryman steadily pulled into deep water. Suddenly our nagß disappeared, save their heads. Here these poor beasts swam for bare life side by side with the boat, while our ferryman pulled with all his strength to avoid a collision, muttering something between his teeth which sounded in our ears like “ That blooming boat swings too iaßt.” How glad we were to reach the othor side, and I guess the horses were too. After getting harnessed up again and ready to move off the mail coach hove in sight with three horses, also a man on horseback. We watched with interest the mail bags, paok saddles, and gear removed from the horses to a place of safety in the boat. Ropes were then attached to each horse and held by the mailman, who with the passenger took their seats in the boat. Then the ferryman moved his boat. The horses did not like the forthcoming experience, and refused to “ Gee up.” However, your humble servant assisted them with a whip and at last they disappeared, all but their heads. The snorting from these poor animals in the desperate struggle to reaoh the far bank reminded me of small torpedos exploding. To all who have to cross this harbor it is a cause of anxiety, and several fatal aooidents have already occurred here. After witnessing the mailman resume his journey we proceeded on . our way along the sea beach for about seven miles, when our road turned inland again, winding its way in valleys, creeks, and around hills, passing Bmall patches of grass and maize, whioh belonged to natives. Most of the land passed through was of fair to good quality, flat, undulating, and hilly, mixed with ferns and bush. We Baw no population until noaring Whakatane. There we entered a wide and fertile valley, studded thickly with settlement. Arriving at Whakatane, a nice little seaport town, we stopped a few minutes to look and have a spell. Here too, we found maizegrbwing was carried on to some extent, also dairying. Situated in this town is a native flaxmill, and the hum of wo>k at this mill can be heard from early morn till dark. All the work is performed by natives, which speaks volumes for their', energy. The mill, I believe, pays as well, if not better, than any other in the colony. After dispatching a telegram to Matata we again sot sail, this time to repeat in the Whakatane river, our crossing of the , Ohiwa harbor. After about an hour’s delay we arrived on the other shore and proceeded along the sea beach, but darkness fell upon us, and so dense was it that at times we wandered into the sea. The splashing of the water reminding us that we were off the track. For fifteen miles we travelled, groping for our road, peering into darkness for lights, listening for some human sound, which came not. All that could be hoard was the occasional dull whoop from some passing bird, and the constant roar of the sea. At last we heard a sigh of relief when in the far dark distance we sighted a light. Our gratefulness was extended to Mr Ferguson, licensee of the Matata Hotel, who through thoughtfulness caused a lamp to be placed in an elevated position on the beach to guide us to the river. A ferryman was in waiting for us, and after repeating our WhaKatane manceuveres we were safely landed on the other side of the river. We were immediately given tea, and feeling tired and worn out we laid our bodies down to rest for the evening. Matata is a small township situated on the banks of Matata river, and in the valley of Matata. This valley has only a small population, chiefly natives and half-castes, who follow for their occupation maize-growing. They are also assisted at present with the flax industry, there being two flaxmills in the vicinity. Small coastal steamers travel or trade between -here and Auckland. Mails arrive overland by pack horses. There is telegraph communication with the outside world. The education of the young, Natives included, is well looked after in the shape of a Convent and Native school. Both'institutions are doing excellent work. (To be Continued.)