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The scenery is magnificent; the banks arc lined with ferns, the branches of the trees tueei overhead in fantastic arches, and the river winds in and out amongst the shingle-beds, with buttresses of rocks standing oui every few chains. About two miles above the intake a large stream comes in from the right, rising up near the Waiopehu Trig. 3,588 ft. Another mile and a half on the river branches into two, the lefthand one having its source under Trig. Tawirikohukohu, ■'!. to') ft. Keeping to the right, the banks narrow in a 1> 11 ; the shingle-beds give place to piles of rock, and in about two miles another fork is reached, the right-hand one rising in a saddle overlooking the head of the Otaki River. Following the left-hand branch for about half i mile there are two more branches within v few chains of each other, and. keeping to the left in each ease, the bed of the stream rises abruptly in a series of small waterfalls. Aboul ti chains from the last fork there is a good walking-track cut up through the bush on the right, leading up on to the main Taraiua Range, which at this point is only about 2.000 ft. in altitude. The track continues on down a spur to the Mangahao River, striking it at the junction of two large branches. The river-bed is followed down for about 20 chains to a sharp bend to the left enclosing a small Hat. This Hat is about 1,300 ft. in altitude, and is seven miles and a half from the intake on the Ohau River, and can be reached in one day from Levin. If the bush was fallen to let the sun in, and a small whale built, a splendid base would Ih' formed for those who wished to ascend Mount Dundas (4,944 ft.). A good walking-track leads up the spur immediately behind the Hat to the trig, station, which is about three miles distant, a mile of which is through the birch bush, and the remainder a tussock-covered leading spur. From Mount Dundas a splendid view along the ranges to the south is obtained, including Mitre Peak, Mount Holdsworth, Mount Crawford, Mount Hector. Kapakapanui, and on a clear day the sea on both sides of the Island can be distinctly seen, with Ruapehu, Mount Egmont, D'Urville Island, and the mainland of the South Island in the far distance. Levin. Kketahiimi. ami Mauriceville appear at one's feel. Master ton being hidden by an intervening spur. About two miles to the south of Dundas the ridges run out in all directions like the spokes of a wheel, ami within a very small radius rise the Mangahao. Ohau, Otaki, Waiohineiti, Waingawa. ami the Jiuamahanga h'ivers. The Waiohineiti River, which rises in a beautiful tussock basin, divides the main Tararua Range running through Mount Crawford and Mount Hector, from the Mitre-Holdsworth ridge, which possesses some of the highest peaks on the range. The Mangahao River divides two long ridges running north towards the Manawatu Gorge. Along the range are nuniereus mountain tarns, some of them over a chain in diameter, which provide good water, without the necessity of a scramble down the rough gullies. l.asi March a party made the through jouriie\ to Masterloii from Levin, via Dundas and Mount Holdsworth, in nine days; but they were out for a ramble, besides being delayed in the Waiohine Valley by misty weather. The trip could be done in four days one to the Mangahao camp, two from there to the Mount lloldsworth mount aiii-house, and another day to Masterton. Some parties have conn- up on to the Dundas Ridge, and then gone down the Waiiigawa River bed, picking up the Upper Plain Road at the Kaituna creamery. The route from Masterton to Mount llohlsworili is fairly well known ; but for those who have not made the trip here are some notes. The usual method is to take a brake to Thoiusen's, twelve miles distant rid the Upper Plain Road, crossing the Waingawa River at a ford just beyond the Kaituna School. When the river is high the othei route is taken, via the Norfolk Road, crossing the Waingawa River by the bridge on the main road to Carterton; but this is three miles longer than the former. There is a pack-track up the spin to the mountain-house, about three miles distant, and pack-horses .mi, be obtained from the caretaker. A walking-track keeps up to the right of the Mangaterera Stream, crossing by a suspension bridge hall' a mile distant, and joins the paekt rack some distance ahead. The mountain-house, which is about 2,500 ft. in altitude, consists of four bunk-rooms and a central kitchen, with fireplace, tables, and forms. The bunks are of wire netting, arranged in tiers, about forty altogether, and one of the end rooms has a fireplace attached, and is reserved for the ladies of a party. From the house there is a steep climb up through the birch bush for a mile, and another two miles up a tussock spur takes one to the trig, station. The Wairarapa Plain forms a splendid panorama, with Masterton, Carterton, and Greytown showing out very distinctly. The Manawatu district is hidden by intervening spurs. Mount Sector shows up very finely to the south, looking across the Waiohine Valley. Mount Dundas, Mitre Peak, and numerous other rocky peaks appear in a bunch to the north, looking very rugged against the sky-line. Last March a party from Masterton left Mount Holdsworth mountain-house early ami journeyed along the range to Mitre Peak, which is on a side spur, and then descended to the Waingawa River ami came down the bed. picking up their bicycles when they reached the road, and arrived at Masterton the same evening. It is a pretty long round, and the party had a rough time, owing to darkness intervening before they were out of the river bed. The ranges are never clear of mist for many days together, and any parties making the through trip should be prepared to wait a day or two at any of their camps. Before long each town on both sides of the ranges will have its mountain-house and track up to some prominent peak to attract residents in the district and visitors to explore the beauties of the bush and mountain meadow.