Paekakariki Hill

Dominion, Volume 29, Issue 208, 30 May 1936, Page 21

Paekakariki Hill

In “Looking Back, or Personal Reminiscences by the Widow of a New Zealand Pioneer Settler,” by Mrs. James Duff-Hewett, there are many interesting reminiscences of the sixties when Maoris and Europeans were at war. The following is part of her account of a journey which was not unfraught with danger, down the coast from Wanganui to Wellington in a dogcart. “Some of the houses where we had to put up for the night were dirty aud uncomfortable. The only food we dare venture to eat was boiled eggs. But there was a good house at Otaki, where Archdeacon Hadfield’s mission station was, and where, even in those early days, a beautiful church had been entirely built by the Maoris, the communion rails and communion table being exquisitely carved by them out of dark wood. When we left the beach, we ascended a very high hill called Paekakariki. The grade was steep, and the road a narrow side cutting, aud when we were nearly at the top something frightened the horse, and it backed a few steps, which tool; us quite to tlie edge of the cliff. My husband said, ‘Sit still,’ but this time I disregarded his word of command, and being light and agile, I sprang out with my -big baby in my arms, and landed safely on my feet. Jem followed my example, and rushed to the horse's head, only just in time to save horse and trap from rolling down SOO feet into tlie sea. But our escape had this good effect, that Jem sent a petition to the Government to fence in that dangerous part of the road, which was granted, much to the appreciation of all travellers on that road.”— Gladys C. Avery (Trentham).