THROUGH TO EKETAHUNA

Otaki Mail, 8 February 1922, Page 4

THROUGH TO EKETAHUNA

> A LEVIN EXPEDITION. MR D. SMART’S PROGRAMME. The opinion is held by Mr D. Smart and other Levin residents that a route over the Tararuas to the Wairarapa side of the range can be found with a grade-that will provide no serious obstacle to travel. Mr Smart has interested himself iu the matter for some years, and through his energy and initiative a party has been arranged to cross the range from the Levin side on Wednesday, February OO Vi Some six months ago the desirability -ji 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 lor cattle ior 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 Pahlutua track. ATTACKING THE BIG RIDGE, }-■■■ smart states that his party will j: out from the head of Gladstone ,oad. lire objective being the head of ,he Eketahuna road' on the eastern side, tiie distance from point to point as the crow flies beiiig seven miles, whicli includes some heavy bush travelling and the fording of the Mangahao and Mangatainoka rivers. From (tie head of Gladstone Road the party will he divided into three or four sections, and all will take different routes, so that at tiie end of the journey, when they will come together again, they will he able to compare votes, and it should not be a difficult matter then to decide which is the easiest of the routes for (lie purpose

>f cutting a track. When the parties separate on commencing the journey, one will converge to the north and the other to the south, whilst two other parties wilt [Work parallel with them on interior lines: Leaving Gladstone Road at 7 a.m., Mr Smart considers that the most difficult part of the journey will lie directly ahead of,the travellers in what- is known as the big ridge, which will he rough uphill going in heavy bush. Lunch time, however. should see the summit of Hie ridge surmounted at different points by the Sour parties, and it is proposed that they will close in on Ihe top and lunch together. The travellers will take up their positions again and push on during tlie afternoon towards the Maugaliao River, the party camping Hie night on the western side, at a spot in a direct*iine about three and a-halt' miles from tlie starting point. At, the Mangahao River it is estimated dial the northern and southern parties will lie four miles apart, with the other two parties between them. On the eastern side of the river, Mr Smart, has arranged for a meeting with a party of Ek eta him a citizens, and from there the two parties will complete the remainder of tiie journey to Eketahuna together. Even if the Eketahuna people are prevented from keeping the appointment, the Levin travellers will go on to their objective. The members can then please themselves as to their homeward journey—by rail from Eketahuna or back over Hie ranges. Messrs. W. N. Anderson and C. AV. Foster will be in charge of the parties Hint will diverge north and south, and Messrs. C. H. Bould and G. L. Adkin of the remaining sections.

The following have signified their intention of making the trip: Messrs. W t Anderson. County Engineer, C. W. Foster (surveyor), G. 1.. Adkin. C.. H. Rfiuld. 1). Smart. \Y. H. Field, M.P.. 1). \Y. Matlieson. C. H. Martin, representative from Chronicle, E. S. Lancaster, R. McAllister, J. Pollock, 3. C. Miines, T. Walker. F. Roe. T. Hobson, K. Aitken. .1. McLeavey. F. Routley, ,T. \V. Procter, S. Gilbert, W. S. Park, A. M. Hunter, and W. M. Beckett.