THE SURVEY of the "KING" COUNTRY.

Waikato Times, Volume XXII, Issue 1816, 26 February 1884, Page 2

THE SURVEY of the "KING" COUNTRY.

The following is an extract from a private letter from one of the members of Mr F. H. Eflgecnmbe's survey party. It is dated Fukehou, Upper Whanganui, February 2nd :— We are sending "a messenger with the monthly returns to meet the pack horses that are bringing us stores from Kihikihi, and we shall not have a chance of sending another letter for at least another month. The work is going on without the least bother from the natives. We were floodbound at Taumaruniu from the 19th to the 24th, when we leffin canoes and got as far as Pariti, where the natives that were tvith us would .stop and have a tangi (cry), over the grave of a depaited friend. We stayed thore all night, and started eaily next morning, and after being on the journey three week*, we arrived at our destination early in the forenoon of the 25th. The next morning we staited work, and are now camped on the top of a range abnut as high again as H.ikarimata at Ngaruawahia. Wo. have a large party— ten in all. We saw C. G. B. last Wednesday. Mr Spencer shifted his camp westward ; we did the same eastward on Friday. Since leaving Kihikihi, we have had scarcely anything but poik and potatoes to eat, and don't expect any change for the ne\t thiee months, except we get t«hoit of potatoes, then we'll have to eat flour. There is plenty of snow on the mountains. Coming down the Whang inui river in canoes was very nice, but .at tjhe same tune dangerous ; and although I enjoyed the trip, I was glad when it was over. Shooting down the rapids at 20 miles an hour, and just enough 100 m for the c.moe.to pass between rocks, which, if it struck those in it would have hard work to get ashore. It is very pleasant to think about it, but when you come to the reality, it is not so kapai. The pack hor->cs leave Kihikihi about the last week in this month.