Visitors to the Bridge to Nowhere from the Whanganui River pass these reminders of the ex-servicemen who pioneered the Mangapurua Valley from 1917.
PICTURE / SUPPLIED
Visitors to the Bridge to Nowhere from the Whanganui River pass these reminders of the ex-servicemen who pioneered the Mangapurua Valley from 1917.
PICTURE / SUPPLIED
One hundred years after the Mangapurua Valley was divided into farms for returned servicemen from World War I it is hard to appreciate the difficulties they suffered in breaking in and farming this land. From 1917 about 35 holdings were developed in this valley and a lesser number in theneighbouring Kaiwhakauka Valley.
It wasn't long before things started to go wrong. Economic hardship, problems associated with remoteness, lack of farming experience and access issues resulted in many settlers abandoning their farms, some as early as the mid-1920s. Only three families remained when the Mangapurua Valley was officially closed in 1942 after a major flood. Today trampers and cyclists enjoying the valleys reminded of the pioneers by name plates placed by the Friends of the Whanganui River indicating the location of each farm.
The Wanganui Tramping Club has a long association with the area. A book by a revered member, the late Arthur Bates, The Bridge to Nowhere, records the rise and fall of the Mangapurua. The club returns there often and will do so over Easter with a four-day tramp from Whakahoro to the Whanganui River.
The club's full programme for April is: ■ Sat 6, Cafe tramp, leader Sandra ■ Sat-Sun 13-14, Taranaki Coastal Walkways, leader Michelle ■ Sat or Sun 13 or 14, Raumati Circuit, leader Roger ■ Fri-Mon 19-22, Mangapurua Valley, leader Brian ■ Sat or Mon 20 or 22, Pohangina Valley, leaders Margie and Barbara ■ Sat-Sun 27-28, Hutt Valley Wandering, leaders Dave and Jacky
Make all enquiries about trips to Barbara phone 348 9149 or Dorothy phone 345 7039. The midweekers have a full programme of interesting trips every Wednesday. Those who get out on Thursday are in two groups, with a longer walks on 11 and 25 April and a shorter one for the TT2 group on 4 and 18 April. The Wednesday contact is Margret, phone 344 3899, and the Thursday contact is Val, phone 345 0456.
To join weekend trips call the leader by the previous Tuesday at the latest. Call by the night before for day trips. As some trips have limited numbers, leaders have the final say about who to take as they are responsible for the safety and well-being of everyone on their trips. For further information contact Barbara at 348 9149 or visit our website www.wanganuitrampingclub.net
The next club meeting is on Wednesday, April 3 at the Deerstalkers' Hall, Peat St at 7.30pm, when Beverley Stuart will give an illustrated talk on Peru.
