MT. HECTOR TRACK.

Dominion, Volume 4, Issue 1082, 22 March 1911, Page 2

MT. HECTOR TRACK.

Another attempt to cross from Otaki to Greytowu, via Mount Hector, Mount Alpha, and Mount Keeves has boon made by Air. \V. H. Field, M.P., in company with a party consisting of Mr. Aston, Government Analyst; Mr. \Vnrdrop, of Wellington; and Messrs. Murray and J)umi, of Otaki. They left Tlu i'orks at daylight on Saturday morning, and got up to Mount Hector at 5 p.m. on Saturday. Ou Sunday they moved on halfway to Mount Alpha, when a fog set in, and drove them back again. They then telegraphed to Mr. Mark Maxton, of Greytown, reporting progress. Mr. ilaxton and his sons started from Greytown about 5 a.m. on Sunday, reached Mount Beeves at 10.20 a.m., and lit two large fires, which wero kept going all day, the object being to help the Otnki party. From 3 p.m. up till 5 o'clock they also kept up a fire of double shots from a fowling-piece to further assist as a guide, but gave up the effort nt length, and endeavoured to reach Harrison's Gorge before dark. Darkness, however, set in, and they had to improvise- a camp on the hills. They set out again on Mondny at G a.m., reaching Harrison's Gorge at 8 p.m. Here they found a note, from Mr. T, M. Drnmmoml stating that the transport party had ■ waited till 11 p.m. on Sunday, ond had then driven home. While on the mountain Mr. Maxlon saw a number of wild nigeons in the Taiincrinikau Valley, traces of wild pic?, and marks of wild cattle. ,Tl;e beautiful flora peculiar to (he high region!! is very Slenlifxtf on the ranges, and will, no onbt, bo ik source of interest to tourists and botanists in the near future. ■ The present "blazed" track from Harrison's ta Mount Reeves requires some ;ittention, as trees have fallen in several places. Scrub and fern have grown on the track also, and the "blaze" is not yet clear enough for strangers to follow readily. The Government lias granted a sum of money for the track, and the Fentherston Council and !ocal committee are also adding (0 it, m> that it is hoped to have some .£203 spent between WoortRide and Mounl Heclnr shortly. The result of Mr. Field's journey, which unfortunately proved unsuccessful, was looked forward" to with a great deal of interest, as his trip would no doubt torni the forerunner of tho establishment ol a through track to connect the two coasts.