Page:Overland Journey of the Governor of New Zealand.djvu/11

Rh Colonial Government are rapidly pushing on a road from Napier to Taupo, the geographical and strategical centre of the island. This road is being made chiefly by native labour, and is protected by five small detachments of the colonial forces, placed in stockaded posts, connected together by the electric telegraph, at Te Haroto, Tarawera, Runanga, Opepe, and Tapuaeharuru (at the northern end of Lake Taupo).

On April 6th the Governor left Napier for Taupo, accompanied by one A.D.C; by Mr. Locke, the Civil Commissioner of the district, and by the Master of Blantyre, who has been for some time travelling in the Australasian colonies. The coach-road has already been finished to the Mohaka river, about 30 miles from Napier, and, now that permanent tranquillity has been established, the country through which it passes will soon be occupied by settlers. The Governor and his party slept this night at the post at Te Haroto, occupied by the Colonial forces, 35 miles from Napier. It occupies a strong position, 2,200 feet above the sea, on a summit of a high hill commanding a magnificent view of the sea and of the coast, as well as of the wild mountains and forests of the Urewera country to the eastward.

On the 7th the Governor started on horseback at 7 a.m., and after a ride of 42 miles reached Opepe at 7 p.m., another post of the colonial forces, where he again slept. The party had been joined at Te Haroto by Major Scannell, commanding the district, and had stopped for breakfast and lunch respectively at the posts of Tarawera and Runanga. The carriage road