Hand Graft on Paper

Maps like this make the hard graft of settlers seem deceptively simple. This battered reproduction of a plan originally drafted by the surveyor Harry Skeet in 1895, shows the Town of Pūangi and Suburban Sections in a neat, ordered and ‘civilised’ fashion, but the reality was often far less straightforward. River crossings could be particularly hazardous as a Taranaki Herald reporter found on a journey through to Matau in January 1895. “The better plan is to leave your horse at Purangi and walk the rest of the journey, crossing the river on what is called the chair on the wire rope. The rope is fastened on one side to a rewa rewa tree and on the other to a large fence post fixed firmly in the ground. Seated on a board, similar to a swing board, hung by chains, you pull yourself over by means of a pully at either end. The sensation of being suspended 80 feet abobe the water is rather peculiar at first, but wears off after a few crossings, but it is hard work pulling on the rope, as the distance across is about two chains. It is to be hoped that a bridge will be built before long as the present means of crossing are both dangerous and may lead to loss of life.” These days access is much easier and the rugged scenery lures hardy souls tackling the Forgotten World Highway Cycle Trail, with accommodation available for weary travellers at the original Pūrangi schoolhouse.