OUR ILLUSTRATIONS.

New Zealand Graphic, Volume XXX, Issue XIX, 9 May 1903, Page 1316

OUR ILLUSTRATIONS.

THE GOVERNOR'S YACHTING TRIP. On Monday week Hi* Excellency the Governor. Lord Ranfurly, who was accompanied by lx>rd Northland, had a ▼cry *ail in the yacht Volunteer. The cruise was arranged by the officers of the Royal New Zealand Yacht Squadron. Mr Alex. Ali<on very kindly placed his tine cruft at their disposal, and sailed her himself. There was a ni<*e breeze blowing from the east, and the sky was cloudless, so the beat down to Matiatia, on the west side of Waiheke, was very pleasant. His Excellency and party went ashore and had a look at the Maori kainga—the only remnant of a once numerous population. The stay ashore was. however, a very short one. and nearly the whole day was spent <»n the water. His Excellency, who used to do a good deal of yachting in the Old Country, appeared to enjoy the sail very much, and he certainly could hardly have seen the Hauraki Gulf to better advantage.

RAILWAY DISASTER AT FEATHER STON, WAIRARAPA.

The goods trrin journeying to Cross Creek ran into a horse at the crossing sonic 50 yards to the right, the horse l»eing carried along some distance when it slipped under the engine, the sudden block causing the engine, which was travelling to the left of picture, to turn completely round, its tender being completely severed from it. a part of which may be seen over the top of trucks to the left. The unfortunate victim of the accident, Mr Fee. was with difficulty extricated from under the boiler. In a line with the engine is a truck which was practically turned over with the force of the accident. The effect of the crash on the lines may be seen from the lines lying in foreground.

WAIRAU-MOANA. Wairau-Moana, of all the lovely spots in the colony, surely this is the loveliest, and yet so few tourists have made its acquaintance. I can imagine no more pleasant place to pass a few weeks’ holiday away from the toils and troubles inseparable from business life. The lakeshore abounds with charming camping spots, and one need have no fear that their solitude will be distil rl>ed by the genus ‘’tripper,” for as yet Wairau-moana oKers these gentry no inducements to visit its shores, and camping parties can enjoy to the full an untrammelled existence. Wairau-moana is reached by a row of several miles from the Government accommodation house at O’Kereru. on Waikare-moana. and is approached through the Straits of Manaia. On the, left is Nga-whatu-a-Tama, on rounding which the beauties of Wairau ar-a spread before the traveller, who could not be human if he failed to enjoy the lovely scene.

Passing a small bay or cove, another point is reached — Ohinekura, front which magnificent views can be obtained. for the shore here is indented with numerous little coves, all densely wooded to the water’s edge, opposite one of Which. Korotipa. is a small islet, Ngawhakarara. an old stronghold of the ancient people who once, ages ago. lived and fought in these wilds. All signs of ancient occupation have long since been buried in the dense vegetation and forest which have sprung up in their place.

From Korotipa another splendid view i» to be obtained, looking up Wairau. Passing numerous hays and wooded points, where one longs to go ashore and explore the primeval forest, we eoiue to Nga-Makawe-o-Maahu and Nga-Whanau-o-Maahu, points named alter a prehistoric gentleman who is credited with having formed the lake in the days of hoary antiquity. A rather large bay now opens up before the traveller, who would do well to pass the night on its shores. 2'wo small creeks flow into this bay, and 2’e I're-o-patue island stands at the entrance. This is the second largest island in the lake, and is very pretty, the higher parts lieiug covered, as usual, with dense forest. This islet has a stretch of level ground, and it would make a delightful camping spot. There is an old canoe here, said to possess an tuieanny history.

Another islet, Motu-ngarara, an old fort, lies off the lovely beach at Onetapu, on which 2'e Kooti held horse races while resting here dining his retreat from Mohaka.

A capital track it would make, there being a wide stretch of ioveiv hard sand.

From Te Kaha, another point stretching some distance out in the Jake, a magnificent view of Wairau is unfolded, all the islets, capes and coves being spread like a map before the beholder. Several more lovely spots are passed (mostly named after Maaliu, the traditionary gentleman before referred to), and the head of Wairau is reached at Waiopaoa Creek, from a hill at the back of which a magnificent view of the lake is obtained. I found it rather difficult to get on to this hill through missing the track, and I had to scramble through thick undergrowth and fern about six feet high, over and around great trees, and up and down deep gulches, but the view well repaid my exertions.

1 found a very easy track down again, the shore entrance to the same being hidden in dense scrub. From Waiapaoa we skirted the western shore of the lake, the scenery all along being much the same as on the eastern side, a. series of lovely little bays, sandy beaches, rocky foreshore, and bush everywhere, while at the back of the opposite shore there is spread the giant face of Paue Kiri, towering above the hill in the foreground. Nearly opposite the Straits of Manaia are two large inlets, Marau and Marauiti. On a river flowing into Maran there is said to be a large and beautiful waterfall; but so little known is this part of the lake, that I have not met or known of anyone who has seen it.

Passing more eoves and capes, we come to Pa-te-Kaha, the largest island in the lake, and an old fort and pa, but later used as a burial ground for the ancient warriors, who once peopled this lake.

At the northern end of Wairau, which is close at hand, are numerous signs of present-day occupation, for Mahaki, of Wainioko pa (about three miles from Waikare-moana) has a summer residence here, and the sight of his sheep and poultry’ is rather refreshing after the unmitigated loneliness of the rest of the lake.

A considerable area has been cleared here, and the hills and shore look rather desolate, shorn of their original beauty. Another ten minutes bring the boat once more into Manaia Straits, whence, to O’Kereru (accommodation house) is quite a long pull.

If time permits, the traveller should row round the Whanganui and Mokau Inlets, of Waikare-moana, in both of which are some lovely spots, particularly the latter, where, in addition, a pull up the Mokau Hirer brings one to the loveliest waterfall on the lake Mokau Falls, about I<M) feet high, aftd a magnificent sight, especially after rain. Care must be exercised in crossing Waikare-moana. on account of the severe winds experienced there, which raise a heavy sea iu a few minutes. The numerous inlets seem to act as vents for the wind, which rushes down with almost hurricane force, and makes the crossing very dangerous. I shall never forget the anxious time I spent crossing Whanganui Inlet, and it was only with the greatest difficulty that the boat was kept afloat. Boating will never be safe on tills lake, and the Government would do well if they provided an oil or steam launch for the use of tourists, as fine days are very’ uncertain in this otherwise lovely locality, and with a launch one could go out any day. Good quarters arc now provided by the Government at O’Kereru but the charges are a bit stiff (12/6 a day, I think), and shelter houses are in course of erection at Wairau and Waikareiti.

These should have the effect of drawing tourists, but personally I would recommend camping, as being much cheaper, more pleasant, and altogether more in keeping with the beautiful surroundings of —more particularly —Wai-rau-moana.