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navigable for many M. Boats can be hired, and there is a goodboat-club. Steamers go up the Waikato to Cambridge, about 30 M.above the junction. Ngaruawahia is a pretty place occupying thedelta. A ferry and good horse-road lead to the Waingaro Hot Springs.(See Index.) There is a cemetery S. of the village where “King”Potatau was buried.
For twelve M. the railway now runs along the plain between thetwo rivers, out of sight of both.
85 M. Frankton Junction. —Refreshment Station. Trainsstay about fifteen minutes. Branch joins R., from Te Kuiti.
86 M. Hamilton (West). —P.O., T.O.—9 a.m. to 5 p.m.,7 p.m. to 8 p.m. M.O. Hotels, Boarding-houses, Refreshment-room. Churches—Ang., Wes. Bank—N.Z. Library. Newspaper—Waikato Times, a well managed morning journal, published on Mon-days, Wednesdays, and Saturdays. Lodges. Hamilton was formerlycalled Kirikiriroa (The Long Shingle Bed). It was a large Maori settlement. Relies of the old fighting days are still to be seen andlegends and war-yarns abound.
The town stands on the L. bank of the Waikato and is connectedby a fine road-bridge with Hamilton Bast. There are good well-plantedpublic pleasure-grounds.
86J M. Hamilton (East).— Churches—R.C., Pres. Hotel.Practically the two Hamiltons are one town. The situation is verypicturesque, and there are good roads in all directions, some to sitesof operations in the Waikato War. In the Ang. Church of S. Peter,which stands in a fine position, and has a handsome and correctinterior, is a tablet inscribed:—“As a Memorial of the AucklandMission this Church was made Free and Open, 1st January, 1886.”Hamilton has good shops and public buildings, and has a bright wellcared-for appearance. Steamers come up here from down-river places,and go on up the Waikato as far as Cambridge, carrying coal, timberand stores, and returning with farm produce. The river sceneryis very picturesque. [See Cambridge.]
Immediately after leaving Hamilton West the railway crosses to theR. bank of the Waikato, and enters the Piako Swamp. Large drain-age works have been undertaken here which are worth inspection.Application may be made to Mr. Gordon, Manager of the N Z. LandAssociation.
89 M. Ruakura Junction. —Trains stay about ten minutes.Branch joins R., from Cambridge (10 M.).
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P.O., T.O., M.O.
Hotels. —National, A. Each; Masonic , Harry Kerr; Refresh-ment Rooms, J. K. Pierce and (,'h. Boyce.
Churches. —Ang., S. Andrew’s, Yen . Archdeacon Willis; R.C.S. Peter’s, Rev, Father Amandolini; Pres., Trinity, Rev. Wm. EvansWes., S. Paul’s, Rev. J. H. Simmonds ; S.A., Captain Williams.