FROM WANGANUI TO NEW PLYMOUTH.

Wanganui Herald, Volume XVII, Issue 5237, 15 December 1883, Page 2

FROM WANGANUI TO NEW PLYMOUTH.

4. In a recent issue ire published a portion of a contribution which appeai-ed in the Dunedin Evening Star containing a description of the country on this coast as it appears to a traveller. The correspondent continues as follows :—: — From Hawera the railway line runs around the east side of Mount Egmout to New Plymouth, while the" coaoh takes the west side, on a road that passes through several small settlements that have apparently been much improved since the cessation of hostilit : ea with the nati ves. In nviny placss the settlers have unfortunately been put to much trouble to clear the gorse from their paddocks, as the country is overrun here and thei'e with the nuisance ; in fact, wherever the eye turned the bright, yellow flowers adorned some parts of tho landsca c. On the road from Hawera to Opunake, a distance of 28 miles, there area few places of interest, they having been the sceue of some of the troubles daring the Maori war. Miue miles from Hawera there is a rising township named Manaia, situated on the main road, and containing five stores, a post and telegraph office, public hall and drill-shed, a school-house, and three hote's. Between three and four miles from this township the notorious Tito Kowaru has his pah, at the edge of the bush, which is known by the name of Okiawa. The Government have also a village settlement by the same name three or four miles to the northward. The next \ settlement on the main road is Otakeho, tho sections in which were sold two years ago. It now comprises a post and telegraph office, store, hotel, blacksmith's shop, backer's shop, and a few private dwellings, the population, including residents in the district within a radius of two miles, being one hundred and fifty. The next place of call, after a few miles drive, is the Oeo Hotel, close to which are the residences of Hone Pihama and Captain Good, the first European who settled in that part. Hone Pihama is the chief who fought against General Cameron's troops with great bravery, and so skilfully laid an ambuscade that he nearly succeeded in capturing the British commander. But after the war he became friendly, built the Oeo Hotel, and used to contract for the conveyance of the mailß from Hawera

to New Plymouth. The Government allotted . him 1800 acres of land out of the reserves belonging to himself and his people, the lat-, ter of whom only got the remainder, 720 acres. Hone leased 1500 acres to Captain Good, who has been living on the property five or six years. Captain Good is one of the old Taranaki fighting men, and has ' brought up a large family. There is a large extent of undulating country betv/een Hawera and Opunake, in its natural wild ' state, covered with flax and fern. It is estimated that there are no less than .twenty large mountain streams between the two places ; so that hardy and industrious settlers would find plenty of remunerative employment in this locality. The land, however, is more suitable for grazing than agricultural purposes, ' On the coach crossing a creek at , the Opunake town boundary, a little after dark, we found a sentry stationed there for the ■purpose,' I learned, 1 of guarding against the 'approach ' of a number of Maoris, * It was at this crossing-place that 250 Natives, with <Tito Kowaru at their head, were stopped by Colonel Roberta's men a few -months since. Tito Kowaru, it appears, addressed a few words to his people, and they retired peacefully. Three or four day' Batter that sixty Natives came back, and Colonel Roberts allowed them to pass, telling the Maoris that they must not stay longer than twenty- ■ four hours, although the Government were . willing to allow them to pay their respects to Te Whiti. The Natives proceeded to Parihaka, and returned to their pahs in due course, Opunake has a .population of about 400, inclusive of forty or fifty of thVA.C. Force, and is situated on an eminence overlooking the sea. There are five stores, two large hotels, post and telegraph offices, two banks, a sohoolhouse (in which divine Service is held), a flax-mill, brewery, a drill-shed (capable .of holding 500 persons), . and a, strong redoubt. Having a letter of introduction to Captain Morrison, I called upon that gentleman, and he courteously showed me through ■ the. redoubt, which commands a very good view of the country around. , Nothing worthy of, particular notice was to be seen until we. reached a quarter-acre allotment, fenced in . for a burial ground, close to. the redoubt; the most conspicuous feature in which was the grave of poor Miss Dobie. ', The last resting ' place of this murdered lady was surrounded by a nice iron railing on a stone wall a foot ' high, with a marble monument in the' form of a cross, and circlet of thorns around the junction of the angles, on the base of which was cut out the following : — " Mary Beatrix, daughter of Major H. M. Dobie. Born' 22nd Dec mber 1850 ; died 25th November 1880. This memorial was , erected by the non-commissioned officers and men of the Armed Constabulary at Opunake, Cape Egmont." Opunake boasts of a : harbor, in • the form of a small bay, which could be be made a safe port; and it appears, by an . official record kept' by. Captain Robinson, that small steamers oan land goods and passengers 300 days out of the 365. Mr' Wilson Hursthouse, C. E., suggested to the inhabitants of Opunake that a small breakwater, to cost about £16,000 would be sufficient to allow small vessels (up to 12ft draught) to come in and discharge their cargoes with perfect safety. This, is the Mr Hursthouse who was taken prisoner and cruelly treated a few months ago by Te Mahniki and his followers, but wa3 subsequently liberated by Te Kooti. .At the- base of the northern headland a long reef runs out across the bay, with about 9ft of water on it at low spring-tide, and inside from 17ft to 23ft. It is deemed desirable to put a groin some distance in from the reef, which would give, with a straight entrance, 17ft at low water- spring-tide. Beacons are fixed for the guidance of vessels, and a lighter, in the form of a large whaleboat, drawn in and out; by a rope, is used for discharging the small craft trading to this port. Of course there is the usual flagstaff, with the necessary harbormaster or pilot, but unfortunately there does not appear to be much work for that official to undertake.