[1858] - Smith, S. P. An 1858 Journey into the Interior [Published 1953] - [Front matter] p 1-4

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Ngauruhoe 3 miles dist.

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Printed in July, 1953, by the

Taranaki Herald Coy. Ltd.

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Introduction

Early in January, 1858, five New Plymouth youths began an historic journey into the unmapped and largely unknown interior of the North Island. More than eight weeks later they returned home after covering 500 miles on foot, 46 miles by canoe and 60 miles on horseback. During this time they visited the Mokau, Taupo, Rotomahana, Tarawera, Roturoa and Rangitikei districts.

The leader was S. Percy Smith and with him were F. Murry, J. McKellar, A. Standish and W. Hursthouse. S. Percy Smith kept a diary of the journey which tells of hardships in travel, of the hospitality of the Maori people, of the glittering beauty of the Pink and White Terraces. The diary is illustrated by sketches by the author who in later life became New Zealand's Surveyor-General, and who reported to the Government upon the Tarawera eruption and the destruction of the famous Rotomahana terraces.

For many years the diary of the 1858 journey has been out of print. With the permission of Maurice Crompton-Smith, son of S. Percy Smith, the diary has recently been reprinted in the columns of the Taranaki Herald, and is now published as a booklet containing reproductions of many of the author's original sketches.

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Illustrations

The Mokau River........ 7

Pukawa, Lake Taupo .. .. .. 13

Waihi Falls, Lake Taupo .. .. .. 15

Pa of Pukawa.. .. .. .. 16

Ruapehu and Tongariro .. .. .. 18

Lake Rotomahana.. .. .. .. 21

Lake Tarawera.. .. .. .. 23

Okareka Lake.. .. .. .. 26

Mt. Ngauruhoe.. .. .. .. 29