D.—l

111

General Note. —For the eight miles above this to Taumaranui the river is of a more open character, and consequently more spread in the channels, rendering the navigation more difficult and uncertain than further down the river. Eapid No. 22 : Straight, but some large boulders to clear. 120 miles above Upohongaro ; 127 miles above Wanganui; 9 miles below Ongaruhe Junction at Taumaranui : Eapid No. 23: Te Whakarae turns to left, the channel is to right, with swift run, and not straight, but a good deal of water; papa shelf on right. Eapid No. 24 : Straight a short way below No. 23; some stones to move. Eapid No. 25 : Above a turn to right not a bad rapid; straight and clear. Eapid No. 26 : Straight run, short and clear. Eapid No. 27 : Straight and clear; may be shallow in low level of river. Eapid No. 28 : A long rapid, but not very quick, and good water. Some large boulders to clear on right side of channel and some stones to move in parts; a stream to left. 118 miles above Upohongaro; 125 miles above Wanganui; 11 miles below Taumaranui: Good reach ; river about 100 ft. wide. The stratified layers of papa continue on right bank. Eapid No. 29 : Straight run, little work required. Eapid No. 30 : Straight run, and clear. Eapid No. 31: Straight run; a large boulder to clear, and some stones; good water; below this the river turns to right with a good reach, the stratified papa cliffs showing on left bank. 117 miles above Upokongaro; 124 miles above Wanganui; 12 miles below Taumaranui: Eapids Nos. 32, 33, and 34: Matawhero—this is a long difficult rapid, or rather several successive runs with several turns. No. 32 quick run, but clear shingle island to left of channel. No. 33 is close below No. 32, and is a quick run, with easy turn to left; a long run, with some stones to clear; some large boulders to clear in bend below where it turns to right. These boulders, and some of those previously noted in other rapids, will require blasting as too large to lift. No. 34, some boulders to clear, but good direction of run. Otnnui, a stream to right, falls over a papa shelf. Eapid No. 35 : Quick run, and turn to left; some stones to move. Eapid No. 36 : Strong run, but clear; no work required; a papa shelf both on the right and on the left bank. Eapid No. 37 : Quick run ; a papa point on right, and turn to the right at foot; one snag to move. Eapid No 38 : Channel on left; no work required. 116 miles above Upokongaro ; 123 miles above Wanganui ; 13 miles below Taumaranui : Eapid No. 39 : A large boulder to clear in mid-channel. Note. —The gorgy character of river becomes more marked here, and continues downwards. A good long reach, with still water and papa faces on both sides. These, however, are solid, and not in stratified bands as before mentioned. Eiver about 100 ft. wide. Eapid No. 40: Moderate run and straight; no work required; a good reach; papa rock on both banks. Eapid No. 41: Moderate run ; no work required. 114J miles above Upokongaro; 121|- miles above Wanganui ; 14J miles below Taumaranui : Eapid No. 42 : Moderate run; no work required; good reach; papa faces on both banks. Te Eakura Stream comes in on right bank over a papa shelf. There is a Native track to the Ohura from here, and the Natives say a fair road can be got across country from here to Taumaranui. Kaimatia, a Native kainga, to left. Eapid No. 43 : Quick run ; shingle bed on left channel to right; no work required. Eapid No. 44 : Long quick run, pretty straight; channel to left; shingle bank on right; no work required; papa rock on both banks. Pairiki, Native kainga, on right bank; good reach. Eapid No. 45 : Straight run, moderate and short; no work required. Eapid No 46 : Easy run; no work required. 113 miles above Upokongaro ; 120 miles above Wanganui ; 16 miles below Taumaranui : Eapid No. 47 : Easy run; close below Taurakawau ; no work required; good reach; papa faces both sides ; still water; about 100 ft. wide. Eapid No. 48 : Bend to right; rapid run ; no work required ; old clearing on right. 112 miles above Upokongaro; 119 miles above Wanganui ; 17 miles below Taumaranui : Eapid No. 49 : Long, swift run, and winding ;no work required; a large stone in channel below wants moving. Whenuatero, a Native kainga, on left bank; a stream on left over a papa shelf; river good and deep ; papa faces on both sides. Eapid No. 50: Just below Whenuatore ; quick run, but straight and clear; no work required ; good reach. Eapid No. 51 : Moderate run ; good water; no work required.