ACROSS THE RANGES

Manawatu Herald, Volume XLIV, Issue 2389, 7 February 1922, Page 1

ACROSS THE RANGES

FROM LEVIN TO EKETAHDNA

A party consisting' of a number of Levin residents, including Mr W. H. Field, M.P., and oi'ganised by Mr D. Smart, intend to cross the ranges from Levin to Eketnhuna, on February 22nd. The following have signified their intention of making the trip:— Messrs W. A. Anderson, County Engineer, C. W. Foster (surveyor), G. L. Adkin, C. H. Bould, D. Smart, W. H. Field, M.P., D. W. Matheson, C. H. Martin, representative from Chronicle, E. S. Lancaster, R. McAllister, J. Pollock, J. C. Milnes, T. Walker, F. Roe, T. Hobson, K. Aitken, J. McLeave.v, F. Routley, J. W. Procter, S. Gilbert, W. S. Park, T. M. Hunter, and W. M. Beckett. ’ Some six months ago the desirability of having such a track was brought up by the Levin Chamber of Commerce, when it was pointed out that connection between the Wairarapa and Horowhenua districts would provide an easy and convenient route for cattle for the stock sales on this side, or vice versa, which is impossible now on account of the extent of travelling necessary via the Manawatu Gorge or Pa Ilia tun track.

Mr' Smart states that his party will set out from the head of Gladstone Road, the objective being the head of the Eketahuna road on the eastern side, the distance from point to point as the crow flies being seven miles, which includes some heavy bush travelling and the fording of the Mangahao and Mangatainoka rivers. From the head of Gladstone Road the party will be divided into three or four sections, and all will lake different, routes, so that at the end of the journey, when they will come together again, they will be able lo compare notes, and il should not be a difficult matter I hen to decide which is the easiest of the routes for the purpose of culling a track. When the parties separate on commencing the journey, one will converge to the north, and I lie other to the south, whilst two oilier parties will work parallel with them on interior lines. Leaving Gladstone Road at 7 a.in., Mr Smart considers that the most dif licult part of: the journey will lie directly ahead of the travellers, in what is known as the big ridge, which will be rough uphill going in heavy bush. Lunch time, however, should see the summit of the ridge surmounted at different points by the four parties, and it is proposed that they will close in on the top and lunch together. The travellers will take up their positions again, and push on during the afternoon towards the Mangahao River, the party camping the night on the western side, at a spot in a direct line about three and a-hnlf miles from the starting point. At the Mangahao River it is estimated that the northern and southern parties will be four miles apart, with the other two parties between them. On the eastern side of the river. Mi Smart has arranged for a meeting with a party of Eketahuna citizens, and from there the two parties will complete the remainder of the journey to Eketahuna together. Even if'the Eketahuna people are prevented from keeping the appointment, the Levin travellers will go on lo their i.bjeet ive. The members can then please themselves as to their homeward journey—by rail from Eketahuna, or back over the ranges.