Pipiriki news

Waimarino Bulletin, Volume 2, Issue 31, 22 January 1985, Page 16

Pipiriki news

The Summer Nature Programme for the Wanganui River Reserves commenced on 27 December and will run until 21 January for the lower river, and 28 Jan for the upper river. Response to the trips has been varied. The first Wanganui River Road guided bus tour, was cancelled due to lack of support. The second trip, with Honorary Ranger Norm Hubbard providing an enlightening and entertaining commentary, was much apreciated by the participants.

Morning tea was provided at the Kawana Flour Mill where the-billy was boiled while the group inspected this restored relic of the early days of European influence in this region. Lunch was eaten at Pipiriki and many in the group took the opportunity to take a jetboat ride up to the Drop Scene, passing some of the '1,200 acres of Wheat Fields' which used to dominate the landscape across the river approximately 1 20 years ago. Regenerating bush is slowly covering these fields, but old photos of this area are displayed in the Colonial House information centre and museum. Another guided bus tour is scheduled to leave Wanganui at 8.30am 28 January — anyone who is interested in participating, further information is available from the Ranger Station at Pipiriki. A showery thunderstorm that had persisted throughout the morning of 1 1 January developed into an electrical storm with torrential rain by lunchtime causing problems for canoeists on their arrival at Pipiriki. Organiser Mike O'Connell said he had "never been so wet in my life" — some admission for such an ardent canoeist! The rain gauge at the Ranger Station recorded 57.5mm as falling in the period from 9.00am — 3.00pm.