AN OCEAN WALK

Dominion, Volume 11, Issue 15, 12 October 1917, Page 8

AN OCEAN WALK

FROM SEATOUN TO LYALL BAY

SMAGNIFICBNT PANORAMAS

MR. H. G. ELL'S PROPOSAL DISCUSSED (By "Sylvius/ 'J ■ ■ill , . 11. li. £11, iU.J , ., lias comb from Clmstcuurch lo discover tor Wellington that there is a magnificent marine walk between Lynll Bay and Seatouu. At least I urn not sure whether ho claims to have discovered it—but ho is certainly Iho latest to advocate, a track or road connecting tho two places, and as a uou bouclio ho throws in a tea room or rest-house. I am u liJriio bit afraid pint Sir. Ell had probably not got Wellington in its truest perspective, particularly when lie refers, as ho does, to tho success of his resWiouse on the Cashmere HIII3. One can well imagine tho most convenient hill walk available to Cbristclnirch people being a success. The very monotony of tho flatness of the City of the Plains must engender a desire in healthy people to climb up some road, and what.could l>o more interesting and invigorating than to walk up the Cashmere Hills, and from a commanding elevation sweep the plains, which constitute such a valuable section, of the granary of New Zealand? Especially fine is the view from such a vantage point on a clear evening, when the* sinking sun in tho west rose-tips the cloud-aspiring Southern Alps. But for Wellington Mr. Ell suggests a marine parade, as though Wellington were thirsting for such a hixury, when it has them a-plenty. All tnunpers know the way from Lyall Bay to Seatoun pretty well—out round the fishermen's huts, along Che rocky shore, which has low breakwaters of black snarling rocks out, out, until there seems no end lo them, and then, away oat still further, the sinister Barrett's Reef, with its deceptive break known as Chaffer's Passage, which is generally taken by the smaller boats inward bound from the south and west. And away over the other' side Pencorrow Head rises lx>ld and menacing, with misty Baring Head in the background. It certainly lias very special scenic virtues, especially, one should sayj to those who live in the country (and seldom see "the magic of the ocean's kisa"), and to residents, of Christchurch. Wellington has already, a magnificent ocean parade between Lynll and Island Bays, that is traversed a good deal by foot, but more extensively by motor. It is a good hour's walk,: and there are tea houses at either end to meet any demand which may raib.t for refreshment.

In the case of tile propoted new walk, it is the ■ Mirainar Borough Council rather thju ,the City Council that should be interested. Tho city really lias nothing to do with it, as the land ife-oposod to be traversed ty the suggested road or track is owned by Messrs. A. and C. Crawford and Mrs.- H. D. Crawford (on tho Lyall Bay side), all within the boundary of the Miramar Borough. Respecting tho proposal to form an elevated .track some 60ft. abovij tho surface of the water, Mr. Ell probably knows that special legislation would have to be passed to construct any road less than 66ft. in vidth. Then thero is the question as to whother tho district would not bo better by a road construcTod in tho usual way, a few feet above high-water mark. Indeed tho construction of such a road has beon on the cards for some yoara past. Tho Mayor of Miramar (Mr. ]?. Town6ond), who views tho proposal quite favourably as something that may add to tho attractiveness of tho.borough, has been in negotiation witli the Government in connection with the formation of aroad between Crawford's quarry(Breaker Bay) and Lyall Bay, and there is quito a reasonable prospect of that work going ahead a little later. Mr. Townsend has also suggested that the reet-housn would be more advantageously situated halfway between the two ends rather tlian a.t tho Lyall Bay end. as it would then command a. view both of the entranco to the harbour and Lyall Bay, rovealing the whole panorama of tho Strs.it. Tho owners of tho land might welcome the proposal as one calculated to brine tho district into tho public oye, but it a question as lo whether they would prefer an elevated ecenic track to a. wide road (o skirt the seashore. It all dapends upon the viewpoint they tako regarding tho proposal. The other point is whether any such work should bo attempted at present if it is to involve tho expondituro of pyblic funds. The ofiject of this rather discursive article is to point out that Wellington already lias fine marine walks, both iu tho eity and on the ocean front, and the novelty of another and moro distant one may not have the value Mr. Ell appears to place p.n it. Then again, Cfiristchuroh people might actually long for a fine tramp over tho hills, whereas most people in Wollington havo their littlo or big bit of hill to climb as regularly as they lake their meals, and would sacrifice a good deal to get rid of it.