NEW TOURIST TRACK.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXV, Issue 2036, 22 March 1907, Page 1

NEW TOURIST TRACK.

FROM LAKE IV AIK AIIEMO AN A TO GISBORNE. The following is a fuller report of the trip of Mr. T. Jfi. Donne, superintendent of the Department of Tourist and Health Resorts, from Lake Waikaremouna lo Gisborne:— One of his principal reasons for visiting tlio district was to personally inspect the proposed new route between Lake AVaikaremoana and Gisborne, via Hangaroa. Speaking to a representative of

“The Press” Mr. Donne said that I'olowing his visit to Waikaremoaua, lie left oil horseback for Hangaroa and Gisborne. 'This is the route which the Gisborne people wish opened up as a driving road to the lake. The total distance from Gisborne to Ilia lake is about seventy-five miles. Of this only thirty miles can be driven over at present, the remaining forty-live miles or thereabouts from ‘Lake House’ to Hangaroa is a bridletrack. Tlie forty-live miles’ ride took a long day. Mr. Donne and liis companions were delighted with the trip. The route, alter leaving AVaikaromoana was along the valley of the Aniwanhva, then up by many a wind and turn along tlie magnificent wooded spurs of the Ngapakira Range. From ail altitude of about 3000 ft. above tlie sea, there was a final look back at calm, blue Waikaromoana far in the distance; then the road wound along through the splendid forest. Here the mountain palm, the huge-leaved “toi” was seen in its glory. It grew in whole avenues along the roadside for mile after mile. The leaves of this beautiful Cordyline were often Sin and 9in in width. The forest was rich in bird life: kaka, parrots and tui wore particularly plentiful. After many miles of bush the first signs of civilisation were seen at tlie Ruakituri River, where the travellers wore hospitably entertained at lunch at Air. J. Dickinson’s sheep station. The scenery here was of a rather remarkable character. High above the flax-bordered, brawling river rose the huge bluffs of Ngapakira (3290 ft), wooded on their more sloping parts, but in many places exposing great grey cliffs of bare rock. From the lluakituri this mountain seemed like some immense wall, guarding the entrance to the wonderful region of AVaikaremoana. About two miles above tlie place where the travellers forded the rocky-bedded river was tlio battleground of the Ruakituri, where Colonel Whitmore and his European force sustained a reverse in the war days when pursuing To Kooti’s marauders. Thence on to Hangaroa there were wonderful}’ fine panoramas of hill and forest, as far as the eye coul(l roach; then sheep-runs and farms—tlio greatwool-producing back-country of misnamed “Poverty Bay.” The Tuahu range was traversed. From a height of about 3000 ft on this saddle there was a far-reacliing view, extending to the ocean. At Hangaroa tlie settlers entertained Mr. Donne and bis party with great kindness. Tlie next day’s trip—by vehicle—was through the settled lands to. Gisborne, and to tlie travellers’ eves there were few more lovely sights than the picture which lay before them that afternoon descending to Waeronga-o-Kuri and the Gisborne plain. The whole of the Poverty Bay Hat lay .spread out a thousand feet below—a beautiful fertile countryside, with its flocks and herds, its cultivations and its tree-shaded homesteads, and in the distance the waterside town, with the surf creaming in'on the sandy beaches for miles upon miles of curving coast,

Mr. Donne considers that this route, will make a. splendid coaching road. The riding track from the lake to Hangaroa lias been well graded, so that there will only bo the cost of widening it, besides one or two bridges. The largo bridges needed are those over fim Iluakituri and Hangaroa rivers, both dangerous rivers when in flood. The construction of the Hangaroa bridge has already practically been decided upon. If this route were developed.,, ifcwould probably be a considerable improvement tu the present one via Wairoa, which is so unsatisfactory, owing to the unreliable nature of the bar entrance to the Wairoa river. (At the same time, Mr. Donne was fortunate enough to reach Wuikare? moana in one day from Napier, by steamer to Wairoa, tliencc a fortymile drive to “Lake House.”) The Hangaroa route from Gisborne will ho one of great scenic interest, and is certainly well worth opening up to coach trnllis.