A TRIP TO MARATOTO.

Hauraki Plains Gazette, Volume XXXVII, Issue 5018, 25 August 1926, Page 2

A TRIP TO MARATOTO.

BEAUTIFUL BUSH SCENERY. INTERESTING MINING WORKS. Probably few people realise ths beautiful s,cenery to be obtained by a trip up the Ma,ratoto Valley. Leaving Paeroa, the Thames road isj followed to a point just beyond the Hikutaia metal quarry, where the Maratoto road turns to the right up a slight incline. On reaching the top of the incline a beautiful panorama, is reveale.d. As far as the eye can see a wonderful fertile valley spreads out, disclosing acres of green pastures, carefully tilled land, and prosperouslooking homesteads. On the extreme left the Maratoto Stream can be seen winding its shining course along the foothills* while in the. background can be seen beautiful native bush and towering ranges. Proceeding along the well-metalled road past innumerable farm houses, the first thing of special interest is a timbermill, situated on a grassy plateau near the side of the stream. A hive of industry presents ' itself here as the buzzing saws rip the huge kauri, and rimu logs asunder. Further up, ina smaller gully, there is also another sawmill dealing with a large amount of timber, while to the right dozens of ksuri logs- have been brought out from the bush and rolled on to skids and branded ready for transport 7 to Auckland. During the winter months these logs are collected and stacked, and as soon as the summer weather permits of heavy carting on the roads the logs are transported to the Wajhou River, via Hikutaia, for shipment to Auckland. Sawmilling plays a big part in the life .of the valley, and many thousands of feet of kauri timber have been taken from those parts, and it is safe to say that many millions of feet still remain. Continuing onwards towards the hills—the road has- become mUch narrower now—the next .object of interest is a huge building nestling bn the hillside to the right of the valley. Inquiries shpw that it is a crushing battery for the treatment of ore, which was elected some years ago for the Hipo Company, but more commonly known as the Mcßrinn’s crushing plant. The battery, which is not now in operation, is the property of the Ohinemuri Gold and Silver Mines Co., which intends in the near future to put the pliant into commission again. The journey from this, point is made on foot, and the Maratoto Stream is crossed by a narrow footbridge, after which, nestling at the edge of the bush, is a small settlement of some half-dczen miners’ huts. From this point onward the Ohinemuri Company holds the fining lights, and the journey to the mine, a distance of nearly two miles, is along a sledge track. Before proceeding very far a regular chug, chug, makes one curious, and on investigation one comes across a large building containing the air compressor, driven by a huge pentonwheel, which supplies free air to the miners in the tunnel of the mine. The journey up the track reveals beautiful scenery. All kinds of native shrubs, beautiful ferns, and giant trees, abound, while on the right, dashing over huge rocks, the Maratoto Stream rushes along. Almost overgrown by ferns and bushes, the entrance to the old Telluroides. drive is found, at the mouth o$ which old rock-drills and other gear can be seen lying about. Although little cash value was wOn from this shaft in the years gone by, .the drive was continued . for 1700 ft before being abandoned. A few 1 yards further on, and after crossing a pretty little mountain stream, a clearing comes into view, while higher up on the hill is another clump of miners’ cottages. Fringed with perfect specimens of the stately nikau and other bush growth, an unpretentious opening in the side of the hill discloses the drive of the company’s mine proper. This drive goes into the aide of the hill for a distance of 3000 ft, and most optimistic hopes- are held out for the success of the venture. Time did not permit of exploring the full distance of the drive, and in any cape the beauty of the bush was infinitely preferable to the dark undei ground passage leading to the face of the mine.

The hospitality of the miners is well known, and as a shift was just coming off duty we were invited into the cookhouse and regaled with huge mugs of tea and many good things to ea,t. While partaking of the meal a couple of tuisi alighted o® a'big puhga just outside the door, and the concert those birds—fast becoming all too scarce—gave, was a melody of ' sweetness.

The meal over we were off again, and the home trip was equally as Interesting. On the way down, several wild pigeons flew overhead, and tuis were frequently to be seen. Volumes could be written sbout the trip and the beauty of the scenery. Suffice it to say that those who. desire to spend a day in the bush and enjoy nature cannot do better than make a trip to the wonderful Mairatoto Valley.