TRIP DOWN THE WAIKATO.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXII, Issue 18996, 18 April 1925, Page 10

TRIP DOWN THE WAIKATO.

TWO BOYS IN A DINGHY. NOVEL EASTER HOLIDAY. A desire for a noyel holiday led two Hamilton High School boys to embark in a nine-foot dinghy on a trip down the Waikato River at Easter. They planned what was probably the most lengthy voyage yet undertaken on the river in a small pulling boat. Equipped with oil sheets, blankets and three days' provisions, they left Hamilton last Saturday, with the intention of travelling as far downstream as Mercer. No tent was taken, as both boys were agreed that the holiday should bo spent in true outdoor style. The first stop was at Ngaruawahia, where dinner was cooked in primitive style near the junction of the Waikato and Waipa Rivers. On resuming the voyage, the young oars, men found that some careful navigation was required to avoid the numerous sandbanks in the vicinity. About four o'clock that afternoon the weather became rather biack. and a strong westerly wind impeded progress. When passing through Taupiri. conditions were worse, and the broken water necessitated the cocentration of attention on steering. Effort was needed to maintain a straight course, but Huntly was reached after five o'clock without incident. A downpour of rain* caused the boys some apprehension, but a resident of Huntly kindly lent them a tent, and the campers suffered no discomfiture during the night. Resuming the journey on Sunday, in ideal weather, the boys enjoyed a pleasant run until about 15 miles below Huyly, when their small craft grounded on a sandbank. The sand proved treacherous, and the dinghy was pushed off with difficulty. 1 The stream near the bank at this point was seen to be teeming with trout. Another mishap occurred at four o'clock, when about 10 miles from their destination. An oar snapped under a sudden strain, and the boys were obliged to use the broken blade as a paddle. Progress by this means was fairly slow, and after two miles had been covered, it was decided to make camp. The night was co]d, but a good fire and a couch of fern provided ample comfort.. The sito of the camp proved a favourite haunt for water-fowl, and numbers of birds were constantly hovering about the camp. At night they waddled up to the campfire and conducted a fearless inspection. The next morning a fairly early start was made and Mercer was reached in time for the boys to join the express to Rotorua. The "dinghy was left at Mercer and was brought back to Hamilton by the river steamer Manuwai. The boys were perfectly satisfied with their trip and declared they enjoyed a splendid holiday. It is their intention to make the trip from Cambridge to Waikato Heads next December. '