Mangatainoka - Ruamahanga - Labour Week-end

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MANGATAINOKA-RUAMAHANGA-LABOUR WEEK-END A good trip this for experience clown who thought we would not in all aspects of tramping. On need tents at all?) Three bods Saturday we clambered over from keener than the rest, pressed on the Mangatainoka river to the to Mitre flats that evening. Ruamahanga river, where, just Monday's tramp and swim down above Cleft creek, camp was made the Waignawa to Mitre flats was on a very comfortable site. Somé uneventful but nevertheless, exrain fell but not sufficient to worry tremely enjoyable. (Sisley and us. Morris did sing hymns as they Sunday dawned bright and clear crossed the river arm in arm, the and after sun-bathing for an hour rest, however, didn't take much we waded down-stream to the turn notice of that). Arriving at Mitre of the river and then proceeded flats hut at 11.30 we thought that up right up. Cleft creek, all by the velocity of the wind we 3000 odd feet of it to near the top. would all be able to fly out. of Waignawa (4515. It was here the In passing, it should be men- T.L. thought only "thought" tioned that these rivers must be mind you, that we'd missed Cow two of the most picturesque in the saddle and we were, to quote, in Tararuas and anyone having the another creek, complete with leaky opportunity to go on a trip in this boots! It was now Graeme's area shotd not fail to take advantopportunity to show his drive and age of it. The four bods who were initiative this he did by allow- on the Schormann track trip ing us to push the bush until we followed our footsteps and were came upon the upper reaches of delayed to the same extent. (Peter, Cow creek, which when followed Ted Doc, George). The main trip down for an hour or So led us kept to the schedule of 6 hours a right into the Waignawa. (Cow day and thus adhered to the grading creek, incidentally, was a réal of moderate throughout. beaut. Slimy rocks, dead trees, All in all, this was a very pleasant small and large water-falls a 3 days and those who helped to veritable sewer). Seeing that we make it so were: Graeme (Triphad put in a fair number of hours, leader) and Mary Hall, Andrew, camp was made just down from Trevor J. and Trevor B., Brian Cow creek under canvas, for the Cropp and hat. Morris and Sisley, second night. (Who was the prize Alec, John de Bruyne and Dotty. * SMITH'S WORKING PARTY = 8th, 9th and 10th November Work! What on a weekend with After lunch most bods decided, weather so good not on your with the trip-leaders permission, of Nelly! course, that work was finished and Well, being honest (as most went their various ways; to wit, trampers are) the blokes did dig a group went off up to Dobson's a hole to put all the old tins and hut, two or three more went fishrubbish into. Replace a window. ing for fish a couple took their Repair the chimney so that it guns up the river, while four more smokes only half as much as it males took to horrid boy-like used to. Nail malthoid (sounds activities and bombarded the water like a throat disease, doesn't it?) with stones just as the girls were to the outside walls in various about to cross. The result places. The girls? they mérely shrieks of ire on one side and gathered a Gargantuan supply of laughter on the other, Jolly fun, firewood. what! All of this work was completed Uthers in the party merely sunby about two o'clock on Saturday. bathed and cooed "What a lovely day." To add to the interest a Those who helpedr to make a a personality of the Tauwkarenikau most enjoyable weekend were: Dot Valley was present Joe Gibbs. and Dave, Lalage, John Nixon, Now here's a tramper for you, 78 Mary West, Adrienne, Andrew, Bill, years old One cannot envisage Ivan, Les, C.G., Valerie, Ron, some of the fittest of our members Jonny and Dudley, Nicholas, oo! we making Smith's at even half that nearly forgot, Joe Gibbs. LES. age. It was also very interesting to hear of his experiences over the years and to note that on Saturday