Mr Eyre’s Trip Down The Wanganui River

Press, Volume XCIV, Issue 28161, 27 December 1956, Page 11

Mr Eyre’s Trip Down The Wanganui River

(New Zealand Press Association)

WANGANUI, Dec. 26. The canoeing season on the Wanganui river was well under way by 10 o’clock this morning. At least three parties were approaching the real river fastnesses and 71 in a- party from the Auckland University Canoe Club were on the first leg from Taumarunui. Yesterday, the river took its first toll from a feur-person twoboat party at Black Rock, some distance above Te Whakarae. which is about seven miles down from Taumarunui. One of the boats turned over and the river claimed a valuable rifle, a bag with £26 and odds and ends in it also, a camera and the party’s knives, forks and spoons. This morning the party, which included a couple who made the trip some seasons ago as honeymooners, were drying out on the riverbank near the home of Mr C. E. S. Davies, ot Te Whakarae. Mr Davies has made several trips down the scenic waterway and he will be bringing the Minister in charge of Tourist Re--sorts (Mr D. J. Eyre) down to Pipiriki. Mr Eyre would arrive at Taumarunui on Friday evening and

he will embark with Mr Davies and three Others early next day. December 30 and 31 will be spent on the river and Mr Davies estimates that the boat should reacn Pipiriki late on December 31. Mr Davies will use a 17-foot flat-bottomed boat he has built for a fr : end. It has a well-raked bow and stern and has a four horse-power outboard motor as well as oars. In Mr Davies’ opinion, the rives is now in very good condition for the trip. There is a fair amount of water in it and rocks are just covered. From Taumarunui to Te Whakarae is a “settling-down” stage in which those at paddles or oars have their first experience of the Wanganui. The stowage of gear and other items is tested and Te Whakarae becomes a favourite point at which to pull into the bank to re-arrange and dry out Thirteen scouts went past Te Whakarae the day before yesterday and five canoes of Wanganui scout leaders went by also The latter are making a very leisurely trip through to Pipiriki with the main aim of training themselves and river trip leaders for the future.