APPEAL OF THE RIVER

Wairarapa Times-Age, 14 December 1938, Page 15 (Supplement)

APPEAL OF THE RIVER

VALLEY RICH IN BATHING RESORTS. THE POPULAR RUAMAHANGA. Nature has richly endowed the Wairarapa with river ' bathing ’ resorts;: : many of them’within handy walking distance of the towns. During the summer months, young and old make - the most of these facilities and. par...ticularly at weekends, the more .popu; lar spots are crowded with swimmers and picknickers, some basking in the sun on the warm.grey sands, others frolicking in the cool, clear waters often flowing gently beneath a canopy of weeping willows. With Nature taking her course during the stormy winter months, when the rivers at times are bank-high with swirling muddy torrents, many of the “good holes of last season" go the way of unpopular Governments and when the distant Tararua ranges shed their mantle of snow, swimmers have, perforce, to seek fresh pleasure spots. The task is not a difficult one. The Waiohine, Ruamahanga, Waingawa, Waipoua and other rivers each season abound with delightful swimming holes to suit all tastes. . The Ruamahanga is probably the river most favoured by Wairarapa bathers and in recent weeks large crowds have gathered in the vicinity of the Te Ore Ore bridge and at other points where there are fine stretches of water, providing safe and firstclass swimming. Further down stream, bathers may also find charming spots. One of the best, but probably the least used, swimming holes is -located in the upper reaches of the -Ruamahanga River at Rangitumau, adjacent to the rail and road bridge. Here there is an excellent picnic spot amid shady trees, while a deep crystal clear stream runs alongside* steep cliffs, which afford fine diving facilities. , The Waingawa River, though its waters are colder than those of other local streams, is also popular with swimmers. A good hole of last season, just below the bridge, has suffered by winter floods but other holes, equally as good, have taken its place. The upper reaches of the river also cater for all classes of swimmers. Masterton children particularly favour holes in the Waipoua River close to town and on a hot afternoon, when school closes, several spots near Hope and Bentley Streets are crowded with carefree sunburnt and sun-tanned youngsters. Stretches of the Waipoua near Akura are also proving increasingly popular. . Irrespective of what improved facilities are provided in the way of public swimming baths, the various river resorts will always draw their ■ crowds of bathers. Night bathing is also growing in popularity and on al-

most any moonlight night gay parties of young swimmers assemble at river resorts. When the night air grows cool, roaring log fires often warm chill bodies before a start is made_ for home.