Manawatu Herald. THURSDAY, MARCH 27, 1902. The Wanganui River.

Manawatu Herald, 27 March 1902, Page 2

Manawatu Herald. THURSDAY, MARCH 27, 1902. The Wanganui River.

Mb Hatrick cannot keep still in welldoing. By his energy thousands of ' persons have been enabled to enjoy the delightful trip up the Wanganui river, and now he purposes to further extend the pleasure by going farther above Pipiriki if a road is made from the Central Railway to a point on the banks of the river he mentions. Everyone who has been up the river is sure to be in accord with the letter written to the Hon. the Minister of Lands, as the stream of travellers must be larger the greater the facilities given of travelling on the river. We trust prompt attention will be given to the representations made by Mr Hatrick Following is the letter :—“ Wanganui, March 24th, 1902. The Hon. the Minister of Lands, Wellington, Dear sir, —Now that the Central Railway is approaching the head of the Wanganui River from the Auckland end, and the question of connecting the same with the now extensive tourist traffic of the Wanganui River is engaging attention, I write to strongly urge upon you the desirability of having a road explored and reported upon to connect the Central Railway with the river. The first eleven miles of river below Taumarunui is practically impossible for steamer navigation without a large expenditure of money It is and has always been considered by those taking an interest in the matter that a road should be taken from Taumarunui along the right bank of the river to a point on the Wanganui known as Te Maire. The natives have a horse track between these two points, and ride the distance in about an hour. Or that a longer road should be taken from Taumarunui on the Central line on the left bank of the river to Whenuatere, on the Wanganui, 17 miles below Tamarunui. There can be no question that the combining of the river tourist traffic with the Central Railway at one or more points will be a large factor in making the Central a financial success. Practi1] travel from Auckland So w. ...ugio-i, or vice versa, a disease of otw 400 miles* foe pleasure,

oc as a tourist route, but if tourists can leave Auckland to join the Wanganui River, coming down the same, and again joining the railway hare for Wellington or New Plymouth, or doing the trip in the opposite way, then unquestionably thousands will do so annually. Only those who have made the journey, as I have, from Taumarunui to Wanganui by river, can have any idea of the magnificence of the scenery, and of what an ideal trip it is. Further, it is, I imagine, necessary to at once decide at what point the road connecting the Central is to junction with the river, so that the proper location of a railway station -may be decided upon. I enclose herewith a sketch showing the two probable lines indicated. The matter is of colonial importance, and I commend it to the consideration of the Government and yourself.—Yours faithfully, Alexander Hatrick. P.S. —Wanganui to Tamarunui is 186 miles.