WANGANUI  , the

principal port on the west coast of North Island, New Zealand, in the Waitotara county, at the mouth of the Wanganui river, 134 M. by rail N. of Wellington . Pop . (1906) 8175 . The town is laid out in rectangular blocks at the foot of low hills, from the summit of which (as in Queen's Gardens) a splendid panorama is seen, including the snow-clad Mount Ruapehu to the north-east . The river bar obstructs navigation, the depth not exceeding 14 ft., so that large vessels must lie outside . The district is agricultural and pastoral, and wool and grain are exported, as well as meat and dairy produce, for which there are large refrigerating works . The Wanganui Collegiate School (Church of England) is one of the largest boarding schools in Australasia . The district was the scene of conflicts with the natives in 1847, 1864 and 1868, and in the beautiful Moutoa gardens a monument commemorates the battle of that name (May 14th, 1864) . The settlement was founded in 1842 .