A TRIP UP THE OTARS GORGE.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XXXVIII, Issue 1575, 11 July 1916, Page 3

A TRIP UP THE OTARS GORGE.

Accompanied by Mr J. W. Hodgson, Otaki’s postmaster, a representative of this paper took a, trip up the Otaki Gorge a few days ago. The gorge commences about four or live miles in towards the hills from Otaki. The road is good all the way, by reason of an abundance of metal —in fact, the road along the spurs is part of the rocky formation, The road leads to the last dwelling in front of Mr Bockett’s residence, a distance of about: 15 miles from the post office, and a motor car has traversed the whole distance. The driver' would need to be a particularly careful and skilled man to negotiate some of the curves, as there is no room to spare —a slight swerve, and the result would be a drop over the pre-cipitous-bank into the cold crystal water of the gushing mountain tor-

rent below. The road, however, is fenced along the cliff side in places, and we were informed that it is intended to safeguard fra (lie by continuing this protection along all dangerous parts. Then there is the danger of slips, as periodically tons of earth and rock come sliding down and block the narrow way. But the cost of clearing thesis slips is small, and a good road with millions of tons of metal alongside, is always assured. After crossing the railway line towards the mountains the land is flat, dry and stoncy. But it is closely settled hereabouts, and dairying is in full swing. A number of smiling homesteads are dotted about with gardens and orchards attached. The cold easterly wind doesn’t trouble that part of the coast. After travelling along a. few miles, the gorge is entered, with the river rushing along below. What latent power in this magnificent (low —why the whole motive force and lighting could be supplied for the district from this source. Some day perhaps it will be harnessed, but at present it Hows onward to (he sea uninterrupted. As we drove slowly through the gorge, coal outcrops could be seen in the face of (■he cuttings. How far down payable seams of coal rest we cannot say, but there was the unmistakable outcrops of coal. Probably the time will come when the coal industry will disturb the quiet of the gorge. The land a mile or so in is

very precipitous, but the bush has been felled, and sheep are scattered here and there. Further in is a, sawmill, water driven. A large suspension bridge further on crosses the river, giving access to holdings on the other side. The bridge is a line structure about, 150 feet above the river. Going further on, a few miles, one passes some magnificent bush scenery, huge tree ferns and graceful nikau palms growing to perfection. We w'ore struck wifh (he number of fantails which flitted hither and thither across the road. The road still followed the river at the foot, of majestic forest-clad mountains. Then the “Forks.” Here two torrents flowing from different angles, junction with the Otaki. Nearby is the trade over the snowy ranges to Groytown. Further on are one or two more little iron dwellings occupied by the pioneers—then Mr Bockett’s house, and hist of all Mr Rue’s. The two latter places are situated on a, river Hal locked in by the mountains. Thu spurs nearby are felled and stocked. A little further on is primeval forest —the May mom estate, a thousand acres of which arc to he felled and a road made to it. This forest continues through to the Hull .Valley. The scene here is really glorious, 'flic towering forcst-elad Tararuas, with their mantle of mist and snow, is a sigh t for the gods. But all this grandeur will shortly-pass a way before the bushman’s axe and devastating lire. If anyone is desirous of seeing the “real thing” in New Zealand scenery, wo cannot suggest anything hotter than a trip through the Otaki gorge. Apart altogether from the majestic surroundings, what surprised us was (hat women could sacrifice all social pleasures and assist their husbands to carve out homes in such localities They arc Britons. In answer to a ques-tion-put to one settler’s wife, we were informed that she had had only one visit from one of her own sox at her house in six months! The settlers have their own private telephone wire, which links them up with civilisation, and they can com-imm-ciite with each oilier when they desire. Wo had some ideas on unearned increment. But those people who pioneer in such out-of-the-way places are justly entitled to every penny of unearned increment that comes their way.