UP THE RIVER.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XXXIII, Issue 939, 10 January 1911, Page 3

UP THE RIVER.

A HOLIDAY EXPERIENCE. That the Manawatu river has potentialities unsuspected by the majority of residents outside this district, was brought home to a visitor who made a trip 20 miles up stream or. the s.s. Plauet one day last week. The journey was over a calm and almost uniformly deep stretch of water, brightened in many places by delightful bits of scenery. The day was ideal of summer, and the party on picnicking bent had their most pleasurable anticipations fulfilled. Two barges to be laden with green flax were taken up the river, one on each side of the little steamer. A number of mills on the Foxton waterfront were busy—the first and most striking evidence of the resources of the district. A little observation suffices to convince one of the singular suitability of the stream for aquatic carnivals, and the writer dreamt of the day when pleasure steamers would make excursions from the Heads and Foxton to the charming reaches beyond. TheEongßeachhasproved its claims to favourable notice as a sculling course. Various objects of interest were indicated by the genial skipper and musical selections added variety to the outing. There were historical features also. Evidently part of the land in the early days had a wheat-growing value, for a spot on the bank was pointed out where once stood a flourmill. At the journey’s end was seen the vestige of an orchard of colonial antiquity, the greater part of which, presumably, had been carried away by the river. A noble fig tree, an apple tree that bad grown “woody,” and some degenerate plum trees, were all that remained. Native and acclimatized blended with charming effect, and, until invaded by the holiday-makers, this locality had the appearance of an unpeopled Eden. After a meal and a refreshing spell, the return journey was commenced. One of the empty punts was left behind ; the other, which had been moored to the bank ?n the course of the up trip, was picked up on the run home, with a load of about 14 tons ol raw flax. Further downstream, and nearing Foxton, another steamer, conveying two laden barges, was overtaken. This ended the incidents ot the day, which had afforded some idea of how the mills get the raw material, and had also exemplified the advantages of the river with regard to boating, swimming, fishing, and picnicking in general. A tribute here tc the natural attractions of the Foxton district would not be out of place. VV ith au excellent watering-place at the Heads, good shooting handy to the town, and the incomparable charms of a fine sheet of water, it only remains for residents to call on their enterprise in order to develop a holiday resort of the best class.