A JOURNEY THROUGH THE KING COUNTRY.

Patea Mail, Volume VIII, Issue 1025, 23 April 1883, Page 2

A JOURNEY THROUGH THE KING COUNTRY.

3lr Bryoe arrives at [ Waitara. (per press association.) WAITARA, April 20. Mr Bryce and party, who left Alexandra on last at 9 a.m., reached Waitara at 7.30 o’clock. The first day they., reached Otorohanga, seventeen miles’ from Alexandra, at 1.30 o’clock. There, they were boarded and lodged till next hhorning by Mi’ John'Hetit, a half-; caste settler. Next day .they",, vyere met at Te Uira, eighteen miles from Otoro-i hanga, by Wetere. From there they went to Te Kunui, a mile distant, where Mr Hursthouse was detained, jjere* the party were feasted, and a haka was danced. To Aroha, the chief, welcomed Mr Bryce, and assured him of an unmolested passage. Te Wlnti had written a letter to Te Aroha blaming Mahuki and disavowing his recent, action. It was observed that some of the men were sullen and held aloof, but the wives of the imprisoned men assisted to prepare the food. Mr Bryce addressed the people in the inarae, saying that his business was only to see that the law of the country was not broken. Their religious views were nothing to him. That was their business. The party then went on to Te Kuiti, about three miles further. On the west side of the settlement they were welcomed by Te Kooti, who was much the worse for liquor, and they were given tea and doughnuts. They then crossed the river to the main settlement, and were warmly received by a very large gathering in the marae. Taonui was the first to arise and address Mr Bryce, which he immediately did on arriving. This was considered extremely satisfactory, as his sentiments relative to the journey had been in doubt. He assured Mr Bryce of safety, and bade him, going through, to look neither to the right, left, or behind him. In replying, Mr Bryce said he took this as meaning that he was to have no hidden motive for his journey. In that sense he accepted it. He assured them there was nothing hidden in his heart from them. Then Ngatae, an Upper Wanganui chief, welcomed Mr Bryce, and evidently threw out a feeler for the inclusion in the amnesty of those implicated in Moffat’s murder at Tuhua, blit Mr Bryce gave no indication of this, at which some disappointment was apparently felt but was not expressed. The parly were then feasted and lodged during the evening, and. next morning Wahanui and Taonui had .several long conferences with Mr Bryce in his tent. Wahanui expressed fear the journey would be regarded as the throwing open of the country to Europeans, who would follow in large numbers, and would include prospectors, as it was not Government land. Wahanui then said he would not allow prospecting. He believes there is gold in the country, but those of the party best able to judge thought that it was most unlikely. It was apparent that the incursion at present of many Europeans would be regarded with passive disfavour, hut that is unlikely as the journey through would be almost impossible without native assistance. Kuiti was about four miles from the track through* and next morning the party returned the way to Te Uira, being again saluted by Te Kooti, who was still drunk. They were accompanied by Te Rerenga and a few of his men, the idea of a large escort being abandoned when the disposition of the natives was seen. The party reached Totara, on the Upper Mokau, about 30 miles from Te Uira, at 5 p.m., having had to ford the river twice at deep rapids. They stayed there for the night, and on Thursday morning eight Europeans and seventeen Maoris got in two canoes and came down. It is fifty miles from Totara to the mouth of the river by its course, and twenty-two in a straight line. For the upper half of the way the navigation is most difficult through the many fallen trees and landslips causing rapids. The party had to walk over one huge slip of several hum dred yards. Numerous outcrops of coal were seen on the banks. The canoes reached the mouth at 8 o’clock at night. Next morning Toherau, an aged chief, asked Te Rerenga what was the meaning of thus breaking the rule of exclusion of Europeans, but Rerenga replied that all the Ngatimaniapoto were in favour of Mr Bryce coming through, and gave Tolierau a letter from Wahanui.on the subject. The party left- at 11 ami., and rode round the beach to the White Cliffs, and then by road to; Waitara. I’he White Cliffs had to he scaled, and the horses swam round by'Mooris. Mr Bryce was accompanied through by MessrsLowis) Butler,Hurst-' : house, Newston, Cussen (surveyor), Adams, and Douglas, two troopers, a chainman, and Mr Wilkinson, native agent, came as far as Totara. The land all, tho iyay’ to the Upper Mokau is of good quality, and is undulating hill and dale, with small patches of swamp, the last six miles being very hilly.. To the south of. the Mokau it is very mountainous, and the natives say a railway \vould necessitate a ‘ tunnel several miles long, but Mr Donkin, C.E., who has prospected the country for three years, says he has found a route that will entail little or no tunnelling. Mr Bryco was received tit Waitara by the principal citizens and a large crowd, who cheered him most heartily, and conducted ; him to tho Masonic Hotel, where a banquet was prepared, and was presided over by Mr Jones, Chairman, of the Town Board. A triumphal arch had been erected on the bridge, which was lit up with Chinese lanterns. In replying to the toast of his health, Mr ; Bryce warmly eulogised the conduct of Te Rerenga, which had been ■most satisfactory throughout. Mr Bryce left for New Ptymouth by special train at 9 p.rn. He goes to. Wan-; gnnui to-morrow, and, after staying at his homo a few days, proceeds on to-Welling-ton.