The “ Roadless North.”

Pelorus Guardian and Miners' Advocate., Volume 13, Issue 48, 24 June 1902, Page 4

The “ Roadless North.”

THE HON. C. H. MILLS’ TOUR. (New Zealand Herald). The visit of the Hon. C. H. Mills, Commissioner of Customs, to the North of Auckland districts, \va? concluded on Saturday, when the Minister, accompanied by Mrs Mills and pirtv, returned to town in the sis. Wellington from Whangarei. The trip occupied two or three days longer than was anticipated when the party left Auckland on Monday morning las', it not being then known that an itinerary was being arranged by the Northern Wairoa residents for a journey through to Whangarei. On arrival at Dargaville, however, it was found that these arrangements were in progress, and that a round trip could thus be made in lieu of a return via Helensvilie. The. Minister, although somewhat pressed for time, gladly assented to the proposal submitted, which enabled him to see so much more of the country which he was visiting for the first time. The weather, with the exception of two or three slight showers, was fine throughout, and this fortunate circumstance, combined with the hospitality and kindnes of the settlers, served to make the tour both enjoyable and interesting. The members of the Hobson and Whangarei County Councils and the residents of Dargaville aud Whangarei were most assiduous iu their endeavours to promote the pleasure of the trip, and the kind offices of the officials of the Northern Union Steamboat Company (particularly Captain Pearce, the Dargaville representative, who was a host in himself), were also much appreciated. Right through the four the Minister was breaking new ground, and the information gained by the hon. gentleman, and by those of his colleagues who have lately visited the districts, should do much to make the conditions and potentialities of the Northern counties better known at the seat of Government. The journey from Dargaville to the head of the navigable waters of the Wairoa was made on Wednesday in the Northern Union Company’s launch Kaipara. The portion of the river below Dargaville is, in regard to the aspect on either side, somewhat monotonous and uninteresting, but along the npoer reaches some very charming scenery is met with, and the Upper Wairoa should only require to be better known in order to become a favourite tourist resort of the future. Of the river as a waterway, the visitors were loud in their expressions of surprise and admiration. It is really astonishing to find that not only outside the Auckland provincial district, but' iu many parts of the province itself, the existence of this extensive sheet of navigable water is almost quite unknown. The Wairoa has no equal in the colony in this respect, and it has been justly described as the greatest asset of the district. At present there is no local control of the river, but it is hoped that the representations on this head made to Mr Mills by the County Council will be productive of the desired result. The pleasant journey on the launch terminated at dusk at Pukekohe, when a regrettable farewell was said to the river, with its many pleasant surroundings. TJje trip from this spot to Poroti, where a connection was made with the coach road to Whangarei, was the most eventful stage of the .week’s itinerary, and it will long be remembered by every member of the party. Arrangements had been made with some Natives for a supply of saddle horses to meet the boat, but on landing , it wa# found' that the horses had been sent away during the day on a packing expedition. There was some uncertainty as to when they would return, and, after a short council-of-war, it was unanimously resolved to set out on foot. The information forthcoming as to the length of the road (?) was, to say the least, somewhat perplexing, disclosing, as it did, an extraordinary diversity of ideas of distance. One : informant said five miles, another was ■ confident that It was sot more than three, whilst a third, who spolm with an air of authority, which was not to be doubted, asserted that the distance was but two miles. This statement, being the most satisfactory to the party, was, in a moment of weakness, accepted, and the walk was commenced with a light heart. Shortly after starting, however, the pack horses were met returning homeward, and thgy were at once impressed into service. sherp were sve horses for seven persons, but the difficulty wag got over by doublebanking,” The horses having been secured, and Moses,” a native lad having been engaged as guide, speedy completion of the journey was anticipated, but never were fond hopes more rudely shattered The track, which was at first reasonably fair, even for walking, soon changed into a succession of bogs, liberally interspersed with pools of water. Now and then short stretches of firm ground were Smet with, but these gave way after a yards to worse bogs and water than those previously encountered.\ The riders proceeded at a slow walking\P ace i Q single file, and thus mile aftel m i- e the dreary expanse of mud \ vas parsed through, the “swish, s\fesh,” of the water iu the pools and h°i es nn der the horses’ feet, playing & fee P le accompaniment to the roar of t\ h(i Wairoa falls, which could be heard W two or three “W les before the traoK\ cavalcade within a short edge.

By this time, of course, it was evident that the party had been cruelly misinformed as to the distance, and Moses’ information on this point being very uncertain, the riders resigned themselves to the possibility of anything up to 20 miles, inwardly vowing the while to never accept statements from So-called authorities, unless supported by a survey map or a sworn declaration. As the journey proceeded it was enlivened by one or two laughable incidents. The two representatives of the Fourth Estate, who were of the party, had under the necessities of the Situation, effected a brotherly combine by double-banking on -a pack saddle. As time went on they had some trouble with their mount, which showed a strong disinclination to venture into one particular bog, more miry than the rest. After one of the riders had dismounted, the horse was gently persuaded to enter it, and then very promptly knelt down, to the disgust of the remaining rider and the detriment of his raiment, which suffered somewhat in the hasty scramble that ensued. The journey, however, had an end at last, and it was with a feeling of deep thankfulness that the party, after being three hours and ahalf on the road from Pukekohe, alighted at the hotel at Poroti, where Mr R. Thompson, M.H.R., was waiting with conveyances, by means of which the journey to Whangarei was completed after supper had been partaken of. The length of the road traversed from Pukekohe was afterwards ascertained to be over seven miles.

The stay at the rising town of Whangarei, with its orange and lemon groves and other charming surroundings, was made very pleasant by* the hospitality of the members of the local bodies and the residents generally. The banquet tendered to the Hon. Mr Mills was' a very enjoyable function, and the trip to the Hikurangi Coal Company’s mine and the sawmills of Whakapara also proved of much interest. The requests made to the Minister by the numerous deputations which waited on him oil Thursday furnished ample proof that the residents of Whangarei are fully alive to their own requirements, and with the extension of the railway, and the building of a new wharf at deep water, an enlarged sphere of activity should be opened up in this promising district,which may be well described as “ The Garden of the North.” Mr and Mrs Mills spent Friday evening with Mr Thompson, M.H.E., and Mrs Thompson, and on Saturday morning, accompanied by Mr Thompson and Mrs (Dr) Sweet, they were driven to the Kamo Springs, where they were shown over the baths, and the new and well-appointed hotel, by Mr Breeden, the manager in charge. A return was made to Whangarei shortly before noon, and at halhpast one the party left for Auckland in the s.s. Wellington, which arrived here at half-past nine p.m., after a smooth passaged The press Representatives who accompanied the party are greatly indebted to the Hon. Mr Mills and Mr W. Crow (private secretary) for many courtesies extended during the tour. The visit to the North was greatly enjoyed by both Mr and Mrs Mills, and the former, it is pleasing to learn, finds himself much improved in health since his return. The Minister left for Welliugton by the Takapuna ?