TRAMPERS USE RUA'S OLD TRACKS IN UREWERA BUSH

Gisborne Herald, Volume LXXVI, Issue 22888, 7 March 1949, Page 4

TRAMPERS USE RUA'S OLD TRACKS IN UREWERA BUSH

.i trump uuougn me oeauuiui virgin busu-ciau country in the neart ot tne urewera Country was enjoyed recently uy a party, consisting ol ur. A. ixorui and ivir. a. Uoldsoury. Te Whaiti, ivir. a I-lelstrom, tne Urewera ranger, and ML-. R. Snelneiu, tne East Coast physical welfare* officer. . , The party spent the first nignt at Maungaponatu, Rua s oia stronghold, Zoouit. up in the Urewera busn, ancl the next dav they headed due north to the Te Motiwha baclcilc, clown past rawhana to Tauwharemanaku, wnere tney camped for the night. iJariy on tne third day tne first Maori settlement on the Bay of Plenty side of tne ranges, Hopeone, was reacnea, and thereafter a formed motor road was followed, which brought them out through Matahi ana Hanatana to Waimana, between Whalcatane and Opo- ** This route led through the beautiful unspoilt native bush ot the historic Urewera Country, and followed the old tracks by wnich Rua's people had access to the Bay of Plenty. in 18 hours' tramping the party covered some 58 miles before accepting a welcome lift to Waimana. It is hoped that the Department ot Internal Affairs may be induced to assist in keeping these paths open for future use. Representations are to be made to the Minister to safeguard much of this lovely bush by declaring it a national park reserve.