PROPOSED STOCK TRACK

Poverty Bay Herald, Volume LXIII, Issue 18975, 27 March 1936, Page 4

PROPOSED STOCK TRACK

ROUTE TO BAY OF PLENTY INSPECTION BY SETTLERS A party of five led by Messrs. L. Rut ledge and 1. Hqldswortli made a trip over the proposed route for the new stock track to the Bay of Plenty during the week-end. After leaving To Wera clearing a low saddle was crossed to tin upper tributary of the Waioeka River. Two pack horses were taken down an open bush valley for four miles, where a camp was pitched and the horses turned back. Next morning the trani]i was continued down the valley, then up another tributary of the Waioeka leading in a westerly direction for six miles. Horses could be taken to this point, 10 miles into the bush, with but little trouble. The dividing range, which is very steep in - places, was crossed and another creek leading to the Waiinana Valley was followed next day. The trip took 16 hours travelling time. Members of the party consider that with very little expense a track could be made to' the dividing ridgv, and many suitable spots were seen for stock paddocks. Much investigation would be necessary to find the. best route over the divide and the best approach to the Waimana River.

The Otanc Creek, which the party waded down, is stated to he unsuitable for a track, whereas the other streams leading to the Waimana are reported to lie much more open. The fauranga stream probably would give the best grade to the divide from the west. In this ease (lie track would he several miles longer than at first estimated, though still shorter than .existing routes.