NORTH ISLAND TRUNK RAILWAY.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 6829, 17 April 1890, Page 4

NORTH ISLAND TRUNK RAILWAY.

THE MINISTERIAL TRIP. [Per Press Association.] WANGANUT, April 16. The Ministerial parby returned by river today from their trip along the main trunk line. The Hons Fergus and Captain Rußsell landed at TJpokongaro and took horse to catch the mid-day train at Aramoho for "Wellington. All speak highly of the magnificent country, and Mr Christie Murray declares the Wanganui river to be the moat beautiful of any he has yet seen in the world. Two inches of rain has fallen here since Monday., and has done much good. WELLINGTON, April 16. On Thursday last, after reaching the Poro o Tarao tunnel the party • busied themselves in various ways, making enquiries about the quality of the land in the district, its capabilities and the eagerness of the Maoris to sell certain bits, and other matters of interest connected with opening the country. On Friday the party retraced their steps, descending the Ongaruhe river the chief tributary of the Wanganui, to Tauruaranui near the confluence, tbere to join Messrs M'Arthur, Christie Murray, fl, D. Bell and Pearson, who had enjoyed themselves studying Maori life in ics most primitive fashioa, among a tribe little civilised. On. Saturday they negotiated for canoes to convey the party to Wanganui. The weather, however, was so stormy that the Maoris declined moving that day, and the party also wished to see the river in sunshine instead of storm. On Sunday morning they started on their trip down the river. On Monday and Tuesday the party glided down amid constant rain. On Wednesday morning they started very early to row many miles, but the Maoris tired under the heavy work, and finding they were unable to reach Wanganui as soon as they expected, the pnrty walked several miles, j cutting off a big bend of the river, and reached -Kennedy's at Uponkongaro. There they found only two horses, which Messrs Russell and Fergus rode as far as Aramoho (Wanganui junction), there catching the down train, reaching Wellington at 10 p.m. The rest of the party are expected to reach their homes tomorrow. As was feared, the trip was put oft too late. Happily the heavy riding was done in sunshine, whilst the roads were good; but the trip down the Wanganui river was almost entirely spoiled by rain. The party can cay they have " done the Wanganui," but they cannot speak too rapturously of the pleasure.