O'ER HILL AND DALE.

Wairarapa Daily Times, Volume IX, Issue 2879, 21 April 1888, Page 3

O'ER HILL AND DALE.

Mangahao to Palmerston.

The following interesting account of a tramp across tlio hills has been sent to us for publication by Mr Allan Anderson, who received it from one of the party: For some two months past several resident members of the MastertonMangahao Settlement have been anxious to form a party to go over the Banges to Palmerston, but the rough weather delayed the attempt. On Sunday morning (Bth hist.), however, the following party was formed:— Messrs J. Miller, P. Gorman, A. Cooper, J. Cody, A. Hirtle, and the writer. It had been arranged to start from Miller and O'Neil's (rural section No. 26.) A start was made about 9 a.m. The survey line was followed for about li miles in a southerly direction, then striking off westerly, the Mangahao flat was soon left behind, and the ascent began at 10

o'clock. An old blaze line was soon after found, and it was followed for t about a mile in a nor'westerly direction, Near the top of the hill the line was lost, and we decided to strike west as near as possible, No other line was visible till at 12 o'clock one was found, and followed for a few chains, when a splendid view was obtained of Palmerston and the Manawatu River, with the flat stretching away towards the Ocean. The sight ,vas really grand, and something to be remembered. Palmerston bore directly west, and looked so near that we decided to strike a straight line down to the flat. Tliis was found to be a great mistake, as tbe hill side proved much rougher than it looked, and it was 10 mfnutes to 2 when we came out on a clearing at the head of " Bank Eoad," near Mr Newman's house. There was no one at home at Newman's house. We had half an hour's rest, and partook of cold lunch, washed down with pure

water from a creek close by. Ajpank Koad is only formed for pack At the junction of the.main Fitzherbert lload we met a gentleman who kindly guided us across the Manawatu River by a short track. Palmerston was reached at 4,30. Had we followed along the spur southwards, when we first came in sight of Palmerston we would have had better travelling and been out much sooner. We stayed in Palmerston all night and next morning the party divided, Messrs Miller, Gorman, Cooper and Cody started on the home yard journey a little after 8 a.m. Mr Newman put them on to the road which is laid off from near his place to the top of the hill, and from there to the oldblaze line on the Mangahao side they cut a line. They had fine travelling, and an easy grade all the way and were convinced that a road could easily be made die route they camo. One of the party was so sanguine that he reconked he could make a pack track, 6ft wide, all the distanco for £IOO, but no doubt that is a rather low estimate when we that the length must be 7 or miles. They reached Millor and O'M's camp at a quarter to *l. They came over the Fitzherbert bridge from Palmerston, and were considerably delayed in trying to make a short cut down to the Mangahao from the top of the spur. It is best on either side and much quicker to follow the line down to the flat, The land on the range is good on the Mangahao side, aud fairly good all the way across. Mr Hirtle and the writer left Palmerston at 10 a.m., crossed the bridge and struck into the bush right opposite Fitzherberttown at 12 o'clock. Travelled east and camo out near the southern boundary of the Masterton-Mangahao block at a quarter to 5. We had good travelling for a mile or two, and after that very rough. Some of the spurs are very steep, and it would be no easy task to make a road the way we came.

The laud too is poor, especially about the centre of the range. We were jmxious to try this route to see which the best, but we are now satisfied that the more northerly line is by far the easiest. We, as an Association, ought to urge 011 the Government the necessity of having at least a pack track over the range, so that when our rivers are flooded we would not be altogether shut out from civilisation.

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