THE LURE OF TAUPO

New Zealand Times, Volume LIII, Issue 12622, 6 December 1926, Page 4

THE LURE OF TAUPO

A REGION OF CHARM AND BEAUTY (By A. H. Messenger.) To see the deep blue of Taupo’s waters stretching away to the soft lavender of distant ranges appearing like the first sight of land on a farhorizon, is to realise something of the wonderful extent of our inland fishing waters. Splendid trout lurk in the depths of this great lake, and in season swarm up the many fine rivers which run into it. To the fisherman there is a thrill in watching the darkly-green and foam-streaked waters of the Tongariro river swirling past tho kowhai-shaded banks and rushing in resounding cadences over its rock-strewn rapids. Under shadow of the banks the ‘‘big fellows” may be plainly seen, head up stream, and with the broad fan of their powerful tails waving lazily. It is a wonderful river this Tongariro, rising high up on tho plateau of tho great National Park and making its turbulent way through pumice and volcanic gorges to the broader flats of the Rangipo. At night-time tho whistling flight of the grey duck, the deep booming of wandering bittern and the drowsy chorus of the frogs from adjoining swamps casts a spell over this wild landscape. High up against tho sky to the south-west a rosy glow marks tho restless crater fires of Ngauruhoe, which a short while back had the heavens ablaze, while its mutterings stirred the wild life for miles around.

From the Tongariro rirer the pumice plains clothed in tlio sage-green mantle of the manuka, stretch back to the densely-forested Kaimanawa ranges, the home of wild horses, cattle, nigs, and deer. The wild horses range at will over the manuka and tussock plains, and may frequently be seen standing at gaze, poised for instant flight. One liorso wo saw had a mane and tail which almost swept the ground. In this country ono is daily in touch with wild life. At one place a foal and maro were captured, the latter escaping next day. A greyhound returned from an exploration trip carrying a wild sucking-pig, which is now becoming quite domesticated. A boar weighing 1691 b, a rugged qld tusker, was bagged in the lower spurs of the Kaimanawas, while it is a fascinating sight to watch the movements of all the little people of the wild. At one place a grim-looking harrier hawk stood intently watching the unusual movements of a rabbit, which circled warily about the feathered raider. On the approach of human beings the hawk, flapping heavily aloft, dropped a small baby rabbit from its talons, evidently tho cause of the parent’s agitation. Dainty top-knotted Californian quail run ahead of one along the horse and cattle tracks, while the sweet hell-like notes of the tui ring from forested river-hanks and gullies. Full of charm and colour is this great wide landscape high up on the roof of tlio North Island* From for-

ested Pihanga, a long, cUad volcanic peak, to tbe rich blues and purples of Tongariro, the warm reds and browns of Ngauruhoe and the virgin white of Ruapehu’s gleaming slopes, the eye can wander to the restful shades of Roto* aira’s depths and the rich blue sheen of Taupo. Whether one goes to fish or to hunt, the beauty and charm of this wonderful country will be an enduring memory.