148 Willis’s Glide Book of New Route for Todrists.

^pipiriki to TfaSrpartipUi.

dourr\ey ©r\ the \X/angaqui F^iv/er.

Gan©e

Caution. —Tourists are strongly advised not to risk going over-land to Taumarunui on the chance of being able there to obtain acanoe and crew for a passage down to Pipiriki. They would be at themercy of the natives, and might have to pay an exorbitant rate. If,on the other hand, they lay out the journey so as to go up the Wanga­ nui (whether intending to return by river or otherwise), they will be ina much better position to make satisfactory previous arrangements.Messrs. Hatrick and Co., at Wanganui Town, or their agent (Mr.Thomas Garner), at Pipiriki, will be able to supply information as tocanoes and crews, and the proper charges. If satisfactory arrange-ments cannot be made with Pipiriki Maoris, a canoe can be towed upby the steamer from Wanganui , or other place on the river, and a crewengaged at any hainga on the way. If the tourists be unaccustomed topoling (as is most likely), the crew should consist of three or four men,or two or three men and a woman. The latter arrangement is best, ifthere be ladies in the party. Maori women paddle and pole quite aswell as the men. * Each passenger, lady or gentleman, should beprovided with a paddle, which they can use or not, as may be agreeable.The Maori canoe is quite as safe as a boat, and is not so liable to injuryif run against a rock or snag. The motion is easy and pleasant. Forinformation as to tents, cooking-utensils, etc., see introductory chapters.

The journey up stream will probably occupy five days. The timedepends partly on the condition of the river, and largely on the industryof the polers. From fifteen to twenty M. a day is fair average travel-ling. The return journey down stream need not occupy more than twodays, forty M. a day being a reasonable speed. Tourists, before start-ing, should consider whether they can afford to spare a day (or better,two days) to go up the Manga-nui-a-te-ao Riven, where there issome grand scenery.

[The distances given hereunder are only approximate].

Fine as is the river scenery below Pipiriki, it cannot compare withthat further up ; and it constantly varies from the grand and magnifi-cent to the soft and beautiful.

A little above Pipiriki the river passes between cliffs, 100 to 200ft.high, covered from foot to summit with ferns, mosses, and otherluxuriant vegetation, great trees on the top stretching out far over thebase of the precipices.

On the R. bank, here covered with groves of tree-ferns, are severalcaves in the rock, in the largest of which is a waterfall about 25ft.high.

•“Six or eight polers,as recommended in “Brett's Handy Guide,” areabsurdly unnecessary.