EIGHTY MILES UP THE PIAKO.

Thames Advertiser, Volume VII, Issue 1853, 9 September 1874, Page 3

EIGHTY MILES UP THE PIAKO.

(BY A OOBBESPONDEST.) A desibe to obtain a view of the country over which the Thames and Waikato Eailway is to pass, urged me to accept an invitation to join a party to proceed up the Piako Kiver, in the steam launch 'La Buona Ventura.' Such information as may bo gleaned in a flying visit, or opinions formed ia a hasty manner, concerning a part of the country lately a sort of terra incognita, may not be of much value, but believing as I do, that the Piako is destined to form no inconsiderable part in solidifying the future prosperity and commercial importance of the Thames, I have little hesitation in giring my impressions regarding it. As the crow flies, the distance to the highest point we reached is about 50 miles, but owing to the sinuous character of the river, the actual distance may be said to be at least 80 miles. We left Sbortland wharf at 12 30 p.m., on Saturday, having in tow a small cutter loaded with timber, doors,, sashes, &c., for ono of the settlers, and entering the river, steamed till dusk, when wo anchored for the night in what might havo easily been mistaken for a lake, dotted here and there with small clumps of trees and patches of flax. Tho country on each side of the river was completely flooded, especially towards the Thames, and it was only by the exorcise of groat care and caution that tho channcl was kept. Whether tho Thames contributes in any measure to flood those lands it is hard to say. That the Piako i 3 destined to become of some importance in tho future thero can be no question, even were the railway formed, as it is tho natural outlet for a considerable agricultural aad grazing country, and ! may, I believe, bo made a ohaunel of

communication between the Thames and the Waikato coal fields. If this can be effected many of the difficulties under which wo labour in obtaining a sufficient supply of fuel for our batteries, machines, &c., would be obviated. My opinion is tnat the value of the Piako stream in this respect has not been sufficiently understood, or has been very much underrated. At any rate it is worthy a larger share of attention than it has hitherto obtained, and should not be lost sight of in our anxiety about the Upper Thames. About 40 miles up the Piako, and about 5 miles from its right bank, is.situated tho head of the .Mangawharu Kiver, which empties itself into the Wailcatn liiver. If there are no insuperable difficulties in the way, a canal could b« cut from the Mangawharu to the Piako, and the supply of coals could be constant and unfailing, the capability of the Piako for carrying barges of the requisite kiud being, if not all that could be wished, very good. It is, however, very difficult to form a correct estimate of its power at this season of the year, the volume of water being considerably above the average; but if it is true, as J was informed, that tho tide rises between two and three feet above Tarnpipipi's settlement even in summer, it would answer all purposes required. From this settlement upwards the banks of the river are definite, but in no case very high, and the stream becomes narrow, its average width not exceeding 50 feet. Cleared of snans and other obstructions the upper portion might be utilised the greater part of the year. In the driest seasons, unless locks were used, it would be available only for boats. However, until the land is thickly populated or manufactures are established this subject will not demand much consideration. The current where tho river is confined runs at the rate of, I should think, three and a half miles per hour, but in those places where the banks are flooded to any considerable extent I do not think it exceeded two miles. At daylight on Sunday we started on our course, and reached Tarapipipi's settlement, or rather his whares, for there was no living creature to be seen hut a starved cat and a few fowls. We landed for a few minutes. The land had been cultivated iu small patches, but looked exhausted. Preparations apparently are being made to enclose a considerable area, _ a large and well-made ditch for draining purposes having been carried a considerable distance. The soil seemed of excellent character. About two hours after leaving an accident happened to the machinery. On examination it was found that the piston-rod had broken off close to the nut. Fortunately the engineer was equal to the occnsiou, and repaired the damage, so that we were enabled to proceed on our journey, arriving at our destination about two hours before sundown. Very enthusiastic lovers of the picturesque might have found much to charm them in the natural scenery of the river. For my part I must confess that I saw nothing specially charming in it, vegetation differing) in no respect from that of the ordinary run of creeks in this locality. There was the usual undergrowth ive are all familiar with; cabbage trees aud flax, with here and there one of the larger species of trees. Forest, excepting a tract of kahikatea below and about two miles above Tarapipipi's settlement, there was none, the land being in most cases covered with fern or small tea tree scrub. The country over which the railway will pass, if at any time constructed, seems to be excellent, and for miles, as far as the eye could reach, it presented the appearance of being very level, and of offering very few _ engineering difficulties in the construction of a line. Is bound to be one of the finest agricultural and grazing districts in the colony. The soil in somo places is all that could be wished, but generally in the upper part it consists of a few inches of dark surface soil with a sandy subsoil going downward about four or five feet, when it meets a bed of clay. Tho position of the various layers was clearly defined in the banks of the river. I was shown what was said to be a seam of coal in one of the banks, but as wo could not land, was unable to satisfy myself or briug samples. We left at 6.30 a.m. on Monday, and arrived at Shortland at 3.30 p.m., making the downward passage in nine hours. An accident occurred when coming down which for a moment seemed likely to end seriously. We were steaming along at the rate of seven knots ami a three or four knot current, when iu turning a bend in the river the vessel wo were towing ran into the branches of a manuka which overhung the stream, and one of the men was carried overboard as easily as a housemaid would sweop away a cobweb. Fortunately he caught hold of the branches and reached the shore, and was taken on board none the worse for his ducking. Tho ' La Buono Ventura' is well adapted for a trip of this kiud. I would recommend anyone desirous of seeing tho country to perform the journey in her.