Tramp to Maharahara

Manawatu Times, Volume 63, Issue 81, 6 April 1938, Page 12

Tramp to Maharahara

OUTING FOR STAFF OF J. R. McKENZIE, LTD.

Familiar to very few, except perhaps those in the adjacent district, the copper mines at Maharahara were the objective of a party comprising the staff of J. R. McKenzie, Ltd., and friends. The 40 persons present travelled from Palmerston North by bus via Woodville to the foot of the Ruahine ranges, and commenced to tramp up a heavily bushclad valley. For about a mile they traversed the track originally formed to bring out the copper ore, but successive floods over a period of years h:*l demolished parts of tho 4 ‘ highway, ” necessitating recourse to the stream.

As the valley narrows, the route becomes quite rugged and an exciting and strenuous series of experiences followed, wading through the rushing torrent, clambering over rocks and fallen trees, or pushing through the tangled undergrowth in the bush. A light rain continued all day, but failed to dampen the enthusiasm of the party. At about mid-day the old mining camp was reached, situated at the foot of a ridge where the stream forks. Though in a sad state of disrepair, the bunk houses and cookhouse are still standing, the latter proving a handy shelter from the rain.

After lunch and a welcome cup of tea, the party set off up tho right-hand stream. Here, the mountain torrent, moss-covered banks and exquisite ferns are indeed a beautiful sight. About ten minutes after leaving the camp the party came to the first shaft, which is only aViout 40 feet. A door broken from its hinges at the entrance, and a gelignite box, were the only signs of past activity at this point, and after an inspection the party pushed on upstream for about 20 minutes, halting at a steep shingle slide. A strenuous climb to the top brought the explorers to a wide shelf (now very much covered with second growth) and here, though strangely silent, were the relics of former years—hundreds of feet of iron rails and galvanised piping bore witness to tile labours of men in the past, and adjacent to these an old shanty, apparently used as a forge shop, etc., was still standing, though much the worse for the ravages of weather and time.

Enthusiastically the party set off to explore the mine shaft itself, only to find that a recent slip had fallen about 20 feet from the entrance, blocking further progress. However, with the aid of torches a view could be obtained for some distance, over the top of the slip; a considerable amount of water was noticed on the floor of the mine. Descending the shingle slide, the part? clambered up-stream; the valley now became a gorge, with precipitous walls of rock towering above. Presently the gorge took a sudden turn, and from a rocky ledge high above, the stream hurled itself in a waterfall of exquisite beauty, which all agreed was worth the trip alone. The party then retraced their steps to the miners’ camp, a meal reviving the members’ energy for the final few miles downstream. Civilisation was reached about 5 p.m., when all welcomed the comfort of dry clothes. Though somewhat unorthodox as a staff function, everyone enjoyed the day immensely in this beauty spot, so richly endowed by Nature and so full of historic interest.