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New Zealand Mail, Issue 1716, 18 January 1905, Page 66

The country between Wharekopao and Galatea is neb (says the “Poverty Bay Herald”) frequently traversed, and for the pakeha to do so with horses is somewhat of an achievement. The Messrs Mo-nekton Brothel'S have recently returned from a visit to Rotorua. Going to the thermal show-plaoe by way of Onotiki, they spent four days at Rotorua. and then decided to come back by way of Galatea, with a view to ascertaining the nature of the Tahora block, which will shortly be opened up. They were the subjects of plenty of dissuasive opinions when they announced the object of their venture, being told that they would not succeed in getting through. However, they started on the way, and made the journey to Mangapohatu with fair ease. From thence to Wharekopao the difficult part commenced. They engaged a Maori guide, and paid him £1 to show the track, which it was almost impossible to pick out.* The natives were found to be unfavourable to visitors, assuming, no doubt, that their object was gold-prospecting. The country from Mangapohatu was found to be very wild and broken, and was negotiated with the utmost difficulty. For miles the country was little better than a quagmire, and their ponies often sank knee-deep. Long dletours had to he made to avoid big trees which had fallen across the track. The hardest portion of the journey was accomplished with the aid of the Maori guide, the party starting at 7 o’clock in the morning, and not reaching a pa near W'harekoDae till 9 in the evening.