A Trip up the Wanganui River.

Manawatu Herald, 27 May 1897, Page 2

A Trip up the Wanganui River.

[Noxe.— The full text, with three photo, graphs never published previously, will be issued as a supplement on Tuesday nest.]

THE TOWN.

To go op the Wanganui River it ifl necessary to go first to Wanganui, which but adds to one's pleasure as that town is one of the soandeßt, most compact, and well-cared for towns in the colony. "Wanganui makes no great pretension b but it has quietly acquired many institutions of great value to its residents as well as to the surrounding neighbourhood. The new hospital, built of brick, is a credit to the district, the Wanganui College for boys is gaining a great name for itself. Under the Education Board, whose headquarters are in this town, there are the Boy's and the Girl's High Schools, capital buildings, well looked after. The race-course reflects great credit on the officers of this Metropolitan Club, as they have not neglected the surroundings simply to provide a course, on the oonlrary the members' entrance is up a pretty plantation, and the Grand Stand lawn, with its artificial lake and tea kiosk is one that must be admired by all who see it. The town boasts of a very creditable museum, supported by voluntary contributions, v first class swimming bath, in which the ladies appear to take a great interest. The cemetery is well planted on the borders and fairly laid out, but it appeared as though too much value was attached to the land as the portion where most of the graves are, has been laid off in objectionable square blocks. The cemetery contains many fine tombstones and monuments, one of the boldest being that erected to the memory of the late John Ballance, Premier of this colony. There are recreation grounds all planted, and also the two small hills on which the historical redoubts used to stand are provided with walks amongst the trees. The town has sittings of the Supreme Court at regular intervals, and is the site of the gaol mostly used on this coast. A fine road bridge spans the river in a line with the Victoria Avenue as is shown in our photograph, and a railway and foot bridge combined crosses the river at Aramoho. The wharf is just below the town bridge and steamers like the Huia and Stormbird trade to it from Wellington, and the Glenelg from Auckland. Victoria Avenue from the bridge to the lamp by the Post Office 13 the principal street for shops, and a very good display do they make. At a little distance from the busiest part of the town are the old established nurseries of Messrs James Laird and W. T. Benefleld, and also the large vinery of Mr Soler, whose make of wine is now well* known. THE COURSE OF THE RIVER. To appreciate the value of the rivor to the town of Wanganui as a highway it will be necessary to call attention to the shape of the sea and land in this part. Wanganui lies half-way in the bay formed by the curve of the land from Mount Egmont to Wellington, and as the coast line north of Egmont falls back easterly, and as the Wanganui runs in a northerly direction < it brings ifc and its navigable tributaries well into the large track of country lying at the back of Stratford. At present the furthest navigable point is Pipiriki, 56 miles from the ' town, but there are three parties at work on seven roile3 of river above this point, taking out the snags, and it is expected that they will be finished in six or seven weeks' time. When this is done there are no further impediments to navigation until the junction with the Tangarakau Stream is met, which can be counted 120 miles above Wanganui. On another stream running into the Wanganui, the Manganui o-teao, snagging is being done sufficient for canoes, and when the snags are out cargo can be taken by steamer to this stream, thence by oanoes to a point only four miles from the laid out main line of road into the interior from Stratford, but at a point some fifty miles from that town. We are informed that shortly after leaving Stratford no gravel is to be found, so that the main road, which is at present only felled and cleared, will be useful as a stock track, but would be a very expensive road for carrying goods on A connection such as is proposed would thus be of great value to the settlers on the blocks under settlement in that part. Beyond Pipiriki the river winds round to the south east to its source in the Buapehu, Tongariro helping its volume by many % stream. The map shows that either directly or by its tributaries the river reaches so far north as Ongaruhe, which is almost -direct inland from the mouth of the Mokau River. All this country intersected by the river and its tributaries can fairly be said to be roadless, as the only way from Pipiriki is by road to Napier via Karioi, from which latter place a road leads to Hunterville. The possibilities of trade by the river loom up large. THE STEAMERS. The firm of A. Hatrick and Co., of Wanganui, is to be credited with the energy of placing steamers upon this river. There are two sUamers;

Che " Wairere " and the " Manuwai." The former is most generally used for up river work, and is a very comfortable and fast boat, being a paddle- wheeler ; the " Manuwai " is a much larger boat, a two-deoker, and is supplied with a stern wheel. The " Wairere " draws about two feet six inches, the " Manuwai " about eighteen inches. The forepart of the *' Wairere " is fitted with a comfortable saloon, in which meals are Berved in first-rate style by a staff of civil stewards. Tbe cooking secured on board is a surprise to tbe traveller when one sees the accommodation at the disposal of the 'chef. 1 Over the cabin is a deck with seating room for many, and is the favourite spot chosen, being free from smuts, and securing an uninterrupted view of the delightful scenery. Aft, there is a ladies' cabin with all conveniences, and the deck is covered with an iron roof, making a good resort when showers are met. The captain has his bridge from which he steers, and is provided with a lever by which he directly oontrola the action of the machinery, and can thus "ease her," "stop her," or " full-Bpeed ahead " all on hia own account. The great advantage of this is speedily recognised when a trip has been made, as instances ar« frequently afforded of the advantage arising from prompt action on the part of the engines. At many times drifting loga run down the river and whilst watching them floating down to the steamer the traveller wonders how the paddles will stand the collision, when 10, just as the two meet up goes the captain's hand to the lever, and the paddles cease revolving till the log is passed. We desire to say bere that the captain, his mate, and the engineer show every attention to their passengers and are well fitted for the positions they hold. Though the river has been cleared of snags in the channel, still at times an enterprising new chum one takes up his position anew, or swings round, or doeß something he ought not to have done, and thus gets into the steamer's way. There is not much room frequently between the bottom of the river and the bottom of the boat, though at other times there is plenty, and being very careful of ourselves we enquired into the chances of shipwreck and sudden death. Though collisions with hidden snags are not surprising events they are not every day occurrences, and we were informed they were without auy danger to the boat and passengers, barring perhaps a hole in her. A hole in the " Wairere "is, however, a matter of small consequence, as she is built in five water- tight compartments, and supposing a hole is made she will not sink, but the modus operandi is to run her ashore, pump the water out with a steam ejector and put a patch on, apparently a v«ry simple matter by the wiy it was explained. This is a fact wbioh is very reassuring when travelling up a river which has its full •bare of timber yet.

[Concluded in next issue.]