MOTOR CANOE TRIP

Auckland Star, Volume LXXV, Issue 11, 14 January 1944, Page 2

MOTOR CANOE TRIP

ON WANGANUI RIVER BATTLING WITH RAPIDS (0.C.) WANGANUI, Thursday. Bronzed and fit after nine days on the Wanganui River and a somewhat hazardous trip to Paranui, about 78 miles above Wanganui, five members of the Aramoho Boating CJub have returned in the motor-canoe Joan of, Arc. They left Wanganui on January' 4 and had hoped to reach Taumarunui, 144 miles distant, but because of engine trouble during the first few days had insufficient time in which to attempt the final stages. The trip was free from serious mishap and was rare in that a journey of this nature had not been undertaken on the Wanganui River for several years. The only accident which may have had major consequences to the canoe occurred at a point near Ranana, when the vessel was negotiating the Ruapirau rapid. Caught by the swift current while negotiating a narrow passage strewn with snags, the canoe was swung against a stone wall, a rock piercing the hull immediately below the engine. After nearly two hours of exhausting work the canoe was hauled by ropes to safe water for IS At U the beginning of the trip they were well equipped with provisions, but on the second night out a stray dog wandered into the camp and devoured a large stock of food. For the rest of the trip the party relied on wild pigs and goats for fresh m The return journey to Wanganui was less difficult and accomplished at a more rapid pace One membei of the party described some of the rapids encountered as hills of water. In places the canoe, which is. 3blt in length and draws only 18m of water was scraping along the bottom, driven by her powerful motor and four stout poles. One of the most difficult rapids was the NgapoTO, above Pipiriki, where the water drops 3ft 6in to the chain Only with "he aid of a steel rope stretched diagonally across; the iner may a vessel of even the Joan oi Arc's size work this rapid.