Through Moerangi Block.

Kawhia Settler and Raglan Advertiser, Volume IV, Issue 365, 26 June 1908, Page 2

Through Moerangi Block.

[COMMUNICATED, i For some time past a feeling has obtained that a more direct road, and much shorter, could be got through the Moerangi Block of native land to the Waikato and Hamilton. With ths idea of proving this Messrs J. Harper, of Karamu, and J. E. Scott, of Ka whia, decided to walk through. A start was made about 10 a.m. on the 220 d from the Kaniwhaoawha Bridge (just completed by Mr Scott’s party), within 60 chains of tbe block, and two boars ride of Hamilton. The early part of the walk lay up the Kaniwhanawba Va”ey some distance, then aloog a low even spur through fine open tawa bush. On proceeding, how ever, the ascent became more decided and the bush much thicker, it having been broken down by snow and become overgrown with supplejacks and lawyers, forming barriers that even cattle (which appeared fairly numerous) baulked at. Pig routings were also plentiful. Higher up the growth changed to dwafted wind-swept mountain birch, difficult to negotiate, and also huge volcanic outcrops of rock that had to be flanked on lhe now razor-backed spur. At 2.80 pm. ths objective wbs reached, viz., tbe Cone Trig that Mr Harper helped to re-in-state 14 years ago. A fine view was obtained of tbe Kawhia and Aotea Harbours, tbe Waitetuna .arm of the RagHn Harbour and a stretch of tbe Waipa Valley to the N.E. To tbe eastward, distant some two or three miles, lay Mount Pirongu, appearing to be about level with the Gone, but actually much higher and separated by what appeared to ba impassable crags and ravines. Many feet below lay the famous Moerangi block, virtually tbe whole of which could be seen, appearing as easy undulating country that offered no apparent obstacles to an almost level road, running about N.N.E. by 8.5. W., the longest grade being to rise out of the Oparau Valley to tbe Native block. This would give a road estimated at .82 miles to Hamilton. As the day was drawing to a close little time could be spared for viewing tbe surroundings. A start was made down a steep spur for the Oparau Valley, the edge of Mr Arthur Wright’s clearing being struck as the first stars began to show, and it was mainly through Mr Harper’s bashcraft that a night was not spent in the bush in clothes that were by this time soaked through. One of the explorers fell into a creek early in the Jay, whilst Mr Harper lost bis watch and pouch, which were torn from bis belt in one of the many ups and downs. A friendly party of Hamilton shooters were met in the bush, who fully believing the explorers were out for all night supplied a flask. Of course the route taken by the party is nothing near tbe proposed road. It firmed, say, two sides of n triangle, the proposed new track or road the third side, therefore only half the distance and particularly level.