Hiking Holiday by Father and Daughter

Manawatu Times, Volume 69, Issue 12, 15 January 1944, Page 2

Hiking Holiday by Father and Daughter

A holiday hike of approximately 180 miles, from a point near Taumarunui to Napier, was made over the New Year by Miss Susan Harding and her father, Mr. Guy Harding, of Yv eiiington. Their route took them across mountainous and desert country and provided contrasts of conditions and scenery. The hikers left Mananui (four mile 3 from Taumarunui) on December 29 and found the new road to Tokaanu very i uteresting -with splendid bush and wide vistas. Tne road surlace was metalled and made for easy walking. The first night out they slept in a deserted quarry camp near the summit of Hauhangaroa Range. Tne next day the pair continued on 10 Tokaauu. The latter end of the road was merely pumice, and with the fiet weather the best walking was done in the early morning or evening. Waihi village from the the Hampers’ point ot view, proved well worth a visit and they refreshed themselves at the bot baths at Tokaanu. Tokaanu to Taupo, Miss Harding said, w r as of course much travelled but none the less interesting. ‘ ‘The Taupo-Napier road was a dare,” Miss Harding added. “It was an unknown quantity and there were 99 miles of it. The Kaingar-oa and Rangitaiki Plains, which seemed more or less deesrt lands, seemed a problem. We had little food and the Taupo shops were closed, and as it turned out we had only one meal with nothing to drink.” „ Both Mr. and Miss Harding were impressed with the weird peculiar beauty of the desert lands, which had a fascination of their own. After the v>lains Iflfme the mountainous country Detween Rangitaiki and Te Haroto. The bush in this area was splendid and the scenery breathtaking. Range upon range of mountains resembled billows on the point of breaking and some of the vistas wero superb. Between Taupo and Napier the xiair met many hospitable people, both Maori and pakeha, which served to enhance their onthuiasm for tramping. Looking at the trip in retrospect Mr. Harding considered that the pumice roads were the best for walking, while tramping was the best way to see the country. Of all the scenic roads they traversed the Taupo-Napier road interested them most with its wonderful scenic attractions and contrasts. Mr. Harding was for some years in the Public Works Department, Napier, and represented Hawke’s Bay both at hockey and Rugby.