OUR RAY OF ISLANDS LETTER.

Wairoa Bell, Volume V, Issue 190, 24 March 1893, Page 3

OUR RAY OF ISLANDS LETTER .

Bay of Islands is an extremely large electorate—therefore it may be of interest to those dwelling in its southern parts to hear something of their northern neighbours. AVith this end in view I write—briefly describing the country in the north. The land is extremely picturesque, varied in character, and in parts well cultivated. Good roads run from Kawakawa (the present railway terminus) south-east to Kamo and Whangarei, and north-west to the Hokianga river with its various settlements. Kiinra Kawa is not a very large town—not nearly so well populated as the Wairoa towns—but the district around, being agricultural,possesses more advantages for settlement than Wairoa. A line of mail coaches runs from Kawa Kawa to Horelce on the Hokianga, inland on luesdays. out on Thursdays. And the pace at which that coach travels is quite a treat —a hand gallop the greater part of the way.

About niue miles from Kan a Kawa is the beautif il homestead of Pakaraka. the home of the descendants of Bishop AVilliams, well known in the early history cf New Zealand. Truly it is a charming place to see. The fields are all nicely laid out, fenced and cultivated, the land is volcanic—au extinct volcano, Poherua, stands out boldly in the estate, its crater being now clothed with forest trees and ferns down to its innermost depths. A few miles further on we come to Ohaeawai, the chief inland post-office. Here in the early days the British soldiers were severely repulsed by tlio natives. Near the town are sulphur springs, and another extinct cone, Tongatapu, stands out hare and rugged, its sides still covered with masses of scoria. At Ohaeawai the main road divides into several. One branch goes to AVaimate, a second to Kaikohe and Taheke, and a third to the northern towns, still the Great North Road. Aboutjfourteen miles from Ohaeawai is Okaihau, at first a Nova Scotian settlement, now a flue level district, wfll watered, wooded, and settled. Omapere lake, near which is a large estate belonging to the late Mr Wm. Earl, separates this district from Kaikohe and its surrounding gumfields. Near the lake may be seen the remains of a pah at which a severe fight took place during Heka’s War in 1845. Of the soldiers that fell there, a number have been re-interred in the Okaihau cemetery, where the N. Z. Government has erected a memorial in honour of them. I have not yet been to AVaimate, where, I am told, the officers that were killed are buried. From Okaihau the road ag-sin branches off to Horeke, the main road going on to Mongonui, The branch road goes down a very steep hill and we find ourselves in Utakura Valley. The river is really a mountain torrent at times, being very broad and shallow, but in wet weather rises rapidly and does great damage by freshes. It is the outlet of Omapere lake. The valley is well sheltered and fertile, grapes, melons etc. being very plentiful. Horeke is seven miles from Utakura and is a very quiet place. Mr Bindon has an hotel here, good accommodation for man and beast, especially the latter. Horeke is noted for its fogs, no Scotch mist about, them, but real, substantial fogs. The Hokianga is about half a mile wide here, and two of its great head-waters, tbe Waihou and Utakura enter it wishin a few miles of each other. .Tust now a steamer has been put into trade. Messrs Bindon Bros, brought the p.s. ! Te Aroha ’ round from Auckland a few weeks ago and she seems to be very well suited to the trade. Kohu Kobu is a small sawmill village on the l-ig'ht bank of the river. The mill, lately under Mr Forsdick’s superintendence, is shut down just now, —hut rumours as to its re-opening are already afloat. Above Kohu Kohu, on the same side, the main stream receives its largest affluent -—the Maungamuka, which winds back for a great distance among high hills, all thickly woodded. Below Kohu Ivohu the river suddenly narrows and at a convenient place the telegraph wire crosses from cliff to cliff. A. few miles further down is Rawene, on the left, bank of the river. This is now the largest town, and has two hotels, a good hall, a court-house and gaol, and a nice school and church. The AVaima river joins near here, and the Hokianga gradually widens till it reaches the sea. The scenery on the river is very fine. Hills, cultivated and covered with sheep, or densely wooded, slope down to the water’s edge ; and, best of all blessings, there is comparatively little mud. Altogether, the Hokianga river, for its size, is a great deal in advance of the AVairoa for scenery. There is really no harbour, vessels are often bar-bound, and this is a great drawback to shipping, especially that of fruit. Near the Heads there is a public school, and at Pakanae Mr AVebster has a large store. The principal trade on the river is g'um, cattle and timber (totara in baulk at present). Wore there a good harbour the products of j this valley would find a ready market ; just now the supply is greater than the demand, and people as a rule grow for home consumption. On the other side, the Utakura Hill is the natural drawback ; and, until some one wise enough to circumvent these difficulties comes along, this part of the Hokianga. County is likely te stagnate. Still, parts of the district are moving- ahead. Last week the Okaihau Show was held and, for au inland diauiut, I have never seen such a goodly display of products The prizes offered were good, and the exhibits were also good. To enumerate would take too much time and space, but it may be pleasing- to

I note that not. orlv were rHzos •.ff.-re,-] for the '” ' ■' n 1 frm pro- ..; i h.Ujfs as split pal- ", - o Aie.-i, morticed posts, and other >f> mums of handiwork. Your old friend, Mr Press, was present in the capacity of a judge and seems to be still merry. After the Show a dramatic performance took place in the Hall and was very creditably carried out ; the actors, with a little training, would soon become perfect. The usual dance followed, and was kept up with great spirit till morning. A movement is on foot to erect a new Hall here as the present one is unsuitable both in size and position, ,Subscrip ion lists, concerts, etc., are all on the move, to raise the necessary funds. In Utakura the timber for the Hall is all ready and as the building it to be built by the settlers, it will soon be in a rapid state of erection. AVhen finished it is to be made to do duty as a schoolroom At present the school is held in a private house, at great inconveuienoe to the owner thereof. Okaihau does not boast of an hotel, a Band of Hope meeting is a thing of the past, but both AVesleyans and Episcopalians have a neat church. An amicable arrangement has been come to regarding the services. Each body held service on alternate Sunday mornings and evenings, and as a rule both are well attended. Rev. P. Walsh is the Anglican minister, and Air Price, a Wesleyan Home Missionary, officiates for that body.