RIVER BOATING

Evening Post, Volume CXXI, Issue 31, 6 February 1936, Page 4

RIVER BOATING

DOWN THE WANGANUI

Travelling down the Wanganui Kiver in a flat-bottomed boat is described as a fascinating pastime by four young men who returned to Wellington during the weekend after floating from Te Maire (near Taumarunui) to Wanganui in ten days. The party, Messrs. K. Hoggard, E. L. Guiness, R. Gell, and E. E. Jenkins, all of Wellington, travelled 130 miles, and were favoured with fine weather all the way. Practically every night was spent in the open, tents being unnecessary. "We were awakened each morning by the clamour of bell birds singing their early chorus,' 'one member of the party told "The Post," "and as the heavy mists rolled back from the river the bush and blue sky made a marvellous picture. Bird life was plentiful everywhere, the long-tailed cuckoo, which we heard continuously, being seen near at hand on several occasions. Wild ducks and shags abounded. "The moving panorama of sombre cliffs, fern clad to the water's edge, provided endless entertainment, while a touch of excitement was lent by the numerous rapids to be negotiated. At one point below Eetaruke the river takes a narrow bend, and after an hour's travelling and by climbing the intervening ridge, we were able to see a portion of the river that we had covered earlier. The kindness and hospitality of the settlers down the river is worthy of record, and the fresh food obtained was very much appreciated.