THROUGH THE UREWERA.

Hawera Star, Volume XLV, 19 January 1926, Page 4

THROUGH THE UREWERA.

A WONDERFUL TRIP. AUCKLANDERS’ EXPERIENCE. A fascinating walking tour through the heart of the Urewera Country has just been completed by two ’Auckland men, Messrs \Y. Rush.worth and W. Collins, the trip proving of a most interesting nature. After visiting Rotorua, they walked through to To W haiti and thence to liuatahuna, later striking across country to Lake Waikaremoana.

Speaking of their experiences, they .said that the scenery thro.ughout the trip, through the Urewera was magnificent, the track in many places winding through dense bush-chid gorges, in which it was difficult to see the sk t, so high and steep were the hills. The .Maoris at Jtuatahuna gave them a Koval welcome and carefully explained to them the track over which they would have to go. Jhe wonderful work being carried out at the Presbyterian mission station at Ruatahnna was referred to, both | the tourists being enthusiastic in their praise of the lady who was in charge. | hey said that she had been a wonderful asset to the district, and had succeeded in doing yeoman service in the interests of the Maoris. Although at first the Maoris had not welcomed her, they soon realised the value of her work, and now, after nine years, she had the hearty co-operation o,f the ■ h !e of the tribes in the district. Th e mission had been responsible for the commencement of a school and for many improvements which had been made on behalf of the Maoris. Living almost alone among the Maoris, the work entails many sacrifices, but these were being cheerfully faced, and as soon as any of the Maoris became sick there was an immediate call upon the mission. Contrary to expectations and to the information which had been received, the _ track from Rnatahuna to Lake \\ aikarenuiana was in fairly good order, and, except at one point, the tourists had n-. difficulty in finding their way. 'I he distance is not nearly so

great as many people imagine, and although they did not hurry, and were able to fully appreciate the beauties o. file track, they went from Ruatahuiia t° tbe shores of the Jake in the one day. Reports of wild bulls were prevalent in the district, but they did n< hp, see an -V on the journey through. track is now in such good order ‘.i . wou ld be possibh? for anyone ,10 desired to do so to ride through, instead of walking. Only a week prior to then-trip a man and two ladies had made the journey, being accompanied by a Maori guide obtained at Ruata him a. Horses had been taken, and at some of the worst points of the track the ladies wer e able to ride. The experience is one that tliev snv will p. |,c remembered bv them