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The Cyclopedia of New Zealand [Wellington Provincial District]
[Pipiriki]
The Wanganui up-river tourist trip to Pipiriki, per new river steamboats, discloses leagues of winding waters bounded by the evergreen banks of a bewitching land—a nature's garden, sprinkled all around by bright patches of green and red, by grey lawns and grasses, trees and shrubs; hedges barbered by rare architectural gardeners; uniform plantations of stately poplars and gums, and irregular clumps of firs. Stately homes are seen peeping between the trees, and cosy cottages on the sunny, smiling lands of the plateaux. Then the scene changes as the little steamer clips round some water serpentine into a river reach, bounded by majestic rocks, and up through the rapids of the river. En route, Kennedy's riverside hotel, central feature of the miniature town on the left-hand bank of the Wanganui, and further up-stream, picturesque Kaiwhaike is passed. From this point upwards the river becomes very tortuous, through wildest and most beautiful country, till Pipiriki is reached. This settlement, which is full of interest to tourist or traveller, is fifty-nine miles north of Wanganui, in the County of Waitotara and in the Electorate of Patea. The local postal authorities receive and despatch mails every week during the winter, and in the summer season twice weekly. There is a considerable and growing tourist traffic to Pipiriki, whence the overland trip to Auckland via the volcanoes and the Hot Lake wonderland is accomplished. The upper reaches of the river beyond Pipiriki are being cleared so as to admit of their navigation by a steamer of light draught.