THE UREWERA COUNTRY.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXXI, Issue 9490, 20 April 1894, Page 3

THE UREWERA COUNTRY.

TO THE EDITOR. Sir,—l have been somewhat amused ot late to notice the ridiculous fuss, which I am glad you commented upon, that has been made in some journals of the recent trip of the Premier and the Hon. Mr. Carroll through the Urewera country, as if it were a rare achievement, whereas many Europeans haVe travelled over its forest-covered mountains, and become thereby more or less acquainted with the tract. For instance, missionaries at one time frequently visited the Ureweras in their mountain homes, notably the late Rev. Mr. Hamlin, when stationed at Wairoa (Hawke's Bay), the late Rev. Mr. Preece, Who lived at Ahi Kereru, less than a day's journey from Ruatahuna, and others. Again, during the Hauhau troubles Captains Gilbert Mair and Preece of the Arawa contingent; Captain (now Lieutenant-Colonel) Porter and myself of the Ngatiporou contingent, under Major Rapata ; Captain Ferris, some other Europeans and friendly Ureweras, traversed it in all directions in chase of Te Kooti. Since the surrender of the Ureweras the late Mr. S. Locke also, and some friends, made a trip through the country from Wairoa by way of Waikare Moana to Ruatahuna, theuce down the Whakatane River to the coast. During the last ten years, in addition to my former experience, I have been four times through from Wairoa to the chief centres, Ruatahuna and Maungapohatu, thence on separate occasions through to Taupo and Rotorua respectively, the latter occasion in company with Mr. McKay, Government: Geologist, and Mr. Hamilton, of Petane. Not long ago three European tourists, one a lady, with native assistance, went through by the same route that the Premier and Mr. Carroll took, but there was no flourish of trumpets on that occasion. In fact this is the main thoroughfare through the region, and with the exception of the portion over the high Huiaraullange, between Waikare Moana and Ruatahuna, it is simply ordinary bush travelling. A good road through it would be most useful, as it is the shortest cut from the East Coast to the centre of the island. The natives, though rough and primitive in their mode of living, are invariably kind and hospitable to strangers. Their great objection, which, however, is gradually lessening, is against their territory being opened up by roads and surveys, or for mining purposes. Much of the country, if more accessible, would be well adapted for sheep farming. It has a commanding position, from a strategical point of point of view, and was the centre from which Te Kooti made all his raids. With regard to the statement made made lately by some newspapers, that the Urewera invited the Premier and Mr. Carroll to visit them, a courtesy which they had refused to extend to Lord Onslow, this is quite incorrect as far as the latter is concerned. On one occasion when at Ruatahuna, during Lord Onslow's term of office, I was entrusted by the Urewera with an invitation to that nobleman to visit them, which was duly forwarded. Some time subsequent Lord Onslow made arrangements to visit the Urewera country on his way to Auckland, and had his horses brought to Napier, intending to ride thence via Wairoa to Waikare Moana. He communicated with me at Wairoa on the occasion, and on learning that Te Kooti with all his followers was at Ruatahuna engaged in opening the new tribal house named Ta Whai 0 te Motu, after the erstwhile outlaw, the Governor deferred his visit and rode es to Auckland via Taupo instead.l am, et^^East Coast, J- T. Larcf 14th April, 1594.