THE MINTSTERIAL TOUR.

Press, Volume XLVII, Issue 7526, 16 April 1890, Page 3

THE MINTSTERIAL TOUR.

[PBESS ASSOCIATION TELEGRAM. 1 WELLINGTON, April 2. Messrs Fergus ana Russell, accompanied by Dr. Newman, Messrs Bruce and Wilson, MJELB/s, leave for Hunterville to-morrow on their way to explore the Central Trunk route. ihey will follow the line up to the completion of the Auckland section, and return along the same track till the Wanganui river is approached; when they will journey down stream in canoea. David Christie Murray will probably accompany them unless West Coast engagements prevents him. The party expect to be away about a fortnight. Most of the journey will be done on horseback. Men have been sent up beforehand to prepare camps At each stopping place. KEEIOI, April 5. The Ministerial party travelled all Good Friday along the banks of the Eangitikei river, following the railway for the first few miles. Beyond Hunterville all the lands are taken up and settled. The party rode through the Dalziell property, and were immensely pleased with the grass-growing qualities of the soil, carrying three sheep to The country thirty-five miles beyond Marton is all first rate. The whole country from Euahine to Wanganui consists of low hills, with rich fiats covered with fine timber—totara, white pine, and rimn. Along the railway route timbermilling will last for years. The Crown lands traversed by the railway co far are excellent. There is a very large road line the side being thick with cocksfoot, rye, and clover running riot everywhere. There are many cattle in good condition grazing upon the natural clearings. The sheep are large and very fat. The railway is made three miles beyond Huntersville. The land carries considerable quantities of timber and wool. From points along the road the party got very good views of the picturesque scenery, especially the towering white papa cliffs of Eangitikei. They will become very popular among tourists because of the scenery and easy character of the drive. No Maoris were seen along the line, which was formerly thickly peopled. They have died out very rapidly. Forty years ago the Maoris had wheat mills grinding fine corn, grown on the rich river ten-aces. Donald Fraser bought 8000 bushels in one trip thirty-five years ago. None is now grown. The wheat was first class. Today Capt. Bussell and others visit Birches station, Erewhon, inland from Patea. The rest will reach Studholme's Euanui property. Both parties unite on Snnday night, leaving for Waimarino on Monday morning. The weather is splendid; the roads very fair going.

Saturday Mid-day. Since breakfast similar quality of rich soil and excellent grass was to be seen. Passed the northern limit of Otarauakapu, a very big block of Crown lands bounded by the Biver Kawatau, dividing it from the Awarua block. It is rich limestone country, part bush, part open. It is fine pastoral country about forty milog across. The Hautapu is a long rich valley, with alluvial deposit etrewn

witn tracnyte bouldera carried from Buapehu. These axe very large and far apart. In the bed of the Kawatau fine black coal has been picked up abundantly. The country fifty-five miles from Marion gone through is all excellent. Both Ministers are much surprised and delighted, as was the Hon. Minister for Lands four months ago. All the strangers in the party are much pleased.

[»EOM OU» OOBBESPONDWrr.I WELLINGTON, April 2. The Ministerial and Parliamentary party start at daylight to-morrow morning on their tour of inspectien through the North Island and over the proposed route of the Trunk Bailway. The party will oomprise Captain Eussell, the Colonial Secretary; Mr Fergus, Minister for Public Works; Mr Blair, Acting-Engineer-in-Chief; Dr. Newman, M.BLBT; Mr Wilson, M.S-R.; Mr David Christie Murray, the eminent writer, and Mr A. T. Bothamley, Clerk Assistant to the Legislative Council, who will go as photographer to the expedition, his skill w the photographic art being well-known. Mr Bruce, M ? H.B., will' join the other members of the party at Hunterville, ani Mr Buchanan, M.H.E., is unable to go. The party will travel by the 6.50 a.m. through train from Wellington on the Manawatu Bailway to Longburn, and thence by the Government line to Hunterville. where they will stop for the night. On Friday they will go on (on horseback) to Hautapu, and will camp there out of doors for the night. On Saturday they will proceed to Moawhanga and again camp for the night. Next day they will travel as far as Kerioi, a point about sixty miles from Huntervilie. On Monday they will get as far as Waimarino, on Tuesday they will make Taumaranui, and on Wednesday the Poro-o-tarau tunnel. On Thursday they expect to arrive at the Upper Mokau, their farthest northern noint. They will then travel back by way of Te Koura to Taumaranui and thence will go by canoe down the Wanganui Biver, and homeward by rail. Their trip will probably last about a fortnight, but may be of longer duration in the event of interruption by bad weather. Extensive preparations were being made to-day, and large purchases of blankets, rugs, waterproofs, &c, as if a lengthened wandering were anticipated.