NORTH PORTION OF TRUNK RAILWAY FROM TE AWAMUTU TO WANGANUI VALLEY.

Waikato Times, Volume XXVI, Issue 2120, 9 February 1886, Page 3

NORTH PORTION OF TRUNK RAILWAY FROM TE AWAMUTU TO WANGANUI VALLEY.

We give a blight sketch of the country tho railway goes through on leaving Te Awamutu. Tho lino pus-es through very fail country, going between the two innnntains of Kawa and Kakepukc. Near hero is the Kawa btation, where a now road is being made direct to Kawhia, junctionmg with the Alexandra-Kawhia road at Hikurangi. Tho road passing through Otorohanga in of good quality, and well fit for settlement. At this place Mr Ellis ( >f Kihikihi, has' opened a good general btore. The Government also have buildings here, and just beyond Hangitiki have also erected buildings. The land as far as Te Kuiti is very good. Here also Government have erected buildings. Here a whare may bo seen flying a white flag. This flag indicates it is for the use of the Pakehas, where a most obliging chief by the name of Nguatiro provides accommodation for man and beast, in Pakeha style, at moderate charge. There are many objects of interest to the traveller at this noted .spot, the country as well being very picturesque and fertile all through the valley. A range of hills is now passed, which takes u.s into the upper Mokau valley, which through its whole extent is very unfit for settlement. The contractor for the tunnel has a very good sledge road frem Te Kuiti to the tunnel at Pora-o-te-Rnu. The tunnel itself is situated in the middle of a five-mile bush. Here also the Government have buildings. Passing over the dividing range we entertho upper part of the Wanganui valley, which is still far more uninviting. The soil is nothing but pumice of tho lightest description, covered with poor and scanty vegetation. The head of the navigation of the Wanganui is at a place called Tauruawanui. This place, on the completion of the railway, will no doubt become important. The mail for Auckland leaves here every ten days. The mail contractor is • fine young Maori named Henaki, who has received a fair English education, and performs his duties with the greatest regularity, and is a first-rate companion on to the road to those not knowing the native language. We are informed that through mine jealousy of the older chiefs the mail contract is about to be handed over to other parties. We hope this is not correct, as the mail service will not be better cai rieel out. It is hoped the native committee will see it to be their duty that Henaki shall not b9 deprived of his contract without his full consent to retire from the same.