A HOLIDAY IN THE BACKWOODS.

Wairarapa Daily Times, Volume XXVI, Issue 7061, 21 January 1902, Page 3

A HOLIDAY IN THE BACKWOODS.

| by a masteutonian. I

I left Masterton by Mr S. Foreman's coach for lirancepoth, en route for Glenlean, the home of Mr and Mrs MacNaughtou, where I had been invited to spend the 'Xinas vacation. At lirancepoth I mot Mr Mcltae, of Stronvar, who carries the weekly mail for Stronvar Post Office and the private mail-bag for Glenlean. -I drove with him in his buggy to a junction, whore one road branches off to Stronvar. The other is the old legalised line of traffic to the Coast, and passes through Mr MacNaughton's property. About a mile of this road leads to Pukitiritiri, tho residence of Mr and Mrs Win. Bennett, and there were horses waiting for me thcro, so that I had to ride the remainder of the journey, in all twentyseven miles from Masterton. If one cannot ride, the only alternative is to be driven in a sledge drawn by a draught horse—not at all an agreeable mode of travelling, I can assure you, as I can speak from experience. Tho road to Glenloan has boon continued fully 54 chains past Pukitiritiri; but it ends in a bluff, so that wheel traffic is dangerous. During the daylight strangers passing can be warned by Mrs Bennett or her family, but should any one pass after dark he will meet with certain death, as the road ends suddenly round a curve, and there is no warning. Steps ought to be taken at once to erect some sort of fence to prevent a dreadful accident. If a barrier were erected at the first flat before the road ends, or if the road were continued to the next flat at the Malmkalmka River, it would make it perfectly safe. When I was at Glenleau large herds of deer were seen, some with magnificent heads from twenty to thirty points. When tho deer season opens, if access were given by means of a proper road, sportsmen from all parts of tho country would come in numbers, as the Government Eoserve or Deer Park lies just behind Glenloan, and extends over 4000 acres. It seems a shame that there should bo such a difficulty in reaching such fine country.

On Christmas Day a very enjoyable gathering took place at Pukitiritiri, when the presentation of a handsome travelling bag was made to Quartermaster-Sergeant J. Mcßae, by Mrs MacNaughton, as a souvenir from his Eewa friend, and also a cigarette-case from Messrs Whatman, notice of which has already appeared in the Daily Times. To have even this small pleasure the sledge had to be called into requisition to take some of us from Glenlean to Pukitiritiri. Therefore it is easily seen how badly served some of the residents in the back country arc for want of proper roads, and I must say travelling in such a rough manner greatly detracts from the enjoyment of such a social gathering.