OVER THE TARARUAS.

Otaki Mail, 7 February 1919, Page 3

OVER THE TARARUAS.

FEOM WOODSIDB TO OTAKI. For some considerable time the Mt Hector Track Committee,-in, tlie Wairarapa, Has been most anxious to have a good track from Woo'dside to Otaki, by way of tlio Tararua ranges, and many. have spent much time and labour in devising ways and means of securing the most suitable .road. While the residents on this side of the ranges have been slumbering on in good old Rip Van Winkle style, the Wairarapa committee has been up and doing, and has been the means of securing a lino track, with convenient wharos at suitable intervals. Not content with such good work on the other side on the ranges, the committee is even prepared to go so far as to asist by giving a sum of money towards necessary work on the Otaki side,

• 'provided anyone can be prevailed on to 1 undertake the work. {Yesterday evening Messrs Frank . , Wall and T. C. Udy, two most energetic members of the Wairarapa committee, ; after a very pleasant trip across the : ranges,, reached Otaki. The trip was undertaken with the object of reporting on necessary improvements to the track, especitlly on the Manawatu side: In company with Messrs R. Bassctt and It. B. Sayer, they left Woodside on Monday morning, reaching the Tauhcrcnikau wharc next day. As they were overtaken by foggy weather, the two (ravelled easily, and made Mt. Alpha ! (hut next day. On Wednesday they en- j

fleavoured to accomplish the main object ! of their journey, viz., to select a suitable place for a wliare on the Otaki i 1 side of Mt. .Hector. They viewed the | locality, and will report fully on the- I mat tor to their committee, but we understand the site to be suggested is between Mount Hector and the edge of Clio bush below Tabic Top—about half i mile on the west side of Mount Den-/ nan. Messrs Wall and May are by no means married to this suggestion, and should the Otakipcoplo make any other suggestion it will be given every con-sideration—-the Grcytown committee are only anxious that the best work should be done. The party consider that two men in two days could clear to Table Top (to start from the bush). | They also suggest a bridle track under I

Mount Dennait, which could be done at a (rifling cost. Messrs Wall ami L'dy were delighted with the beautiful scenery on their lour, also with the ilowers on the route. In places the mountain was ablaze with yellow rummeulus, the pretty cidelweiss, daisies, heaths, mosses, etc. —a pleasing feale.ro for the eye, and one which should attract even the most casual observer. Birds there were in plenty—pigeons, kawakawas, and longtailed cuckoos, while two fine spceilacns of jet black goats, with long, shaggy hair, were seen. Tracks of deer were also noticeable. The party obtained an excellent view on Wednesday—the weather was clear and just, suitable In see the large expanse of country. Lovely views were obtained of the South Island, Kapiti, Wellington Harbour and Somes Island, the Hutt, Wairarapa and Otaki. Such views alone should be an inducement for tourists, and this together with travelling in easy stages, with every convenience, should entice many to cross the ranges. At present the track on the Wairarapa side is in first-class -condition, and the party was enabled to ride many miles. On the Otaki side the track certainly needs attention, and we trust that something will be done without further delay. The party desire to express their thanks to the Otaki Gorge settlers for hospitality displayed.