HOLIDAY TRIPPING THROUGH CENTRAL OTAGO

Evening Star, Issue 19784, 7 February 1928, Page 5

HOLIDAY TRIPPING THROUGH CENTRAL OTAGO

NOTES BY THE'WAY SULTRY HOLIDAY WEATHER [Written by W. B. Scott, for ■ the ‘Evening Star.’] No. 111. The long-continued drought, upon which twelve hours’ rain seems to have made no effect, is once more entrenched, and the position is daily growing more serious. The ArrowtownFrankton irrigation scheme may now be safely classed as an “ irritation ” scheme. The farmers who wore banking on reaping its advantages during 1928 have been left high and dry in the most difficult of seasons. In some cases the animals have been turned into the crops, while in other cases the “long paddock ” is being made use of, so that tho “ beasties ” may subsist. In Bannockburn tho cattle and horses are being offered for sale before they cun starve to death. This condition of affairs emphasises the need lor some Napoleon to arise who will command such confidence that ho will be entrusted with an ambitious, if expensive, scheme to make adequate use of the immense water supplies of the district to irrigate and fertilise the land. This is probably tho driest part of the dominion, and yet it possesses a magnificent supply of water in the two great rivers flowing through the Cromwell basin—the Clutha and tho Kawarau. Providence has provided the water, and it remains for man, with his engineering skill, to get it on to the land that is thirsting for it. There is absolutely no doubt as to the beneficial results, and our American friends would waste no time in carrying it to a successful issue. A sidelight ou the present position is shown m the rekindled interest m the Kawarau dam. It is now suggested, and the suggestion is becoming increasingly popular, that, as the Kawarau River is so low and the tributaries are almost dry, the gates should be closed at once and another attempt made to locate the rich gold deposits. That gold exists is made evident when one is shown Hakes of gold that have been picked up on certain claims after only a few minutes’ search. Let the gates close, and we shall see what we shall see. Not very satisfactory, 1 know, hut it is the best one can offer with regard to this proposition. THRILLS OF THE GORGE.

A commodious and comfortable char-a-banc is provided lor the forty-three miles run through the Kawarau Gorge. For those who arc not used to hilly, precipitous country and to gorges with steep declines, hairpin bends, narrow roads, and acute approaches to bridges crossing the gorge, the trip is liahlc to be anything but enjoyable. Still, confidence breeds enjoyment, however tortuous, precipitous, and difficult the road might be, and i can assure the nervous tourist that ho can have every confidence in the driver of the motoi from Cromwell to Queenstown. L occupied the front seat with the dnvei, and can testify to his wonderful care and experienced skill, hi addition to an intimate knowledge of his bus, lie also knows every inch of the road and every bump that it contains, the vehicle moves irccly and swiftly, but at every nasty bump and difficult corner the brakes are judiciously applied, and the position is negotiated as cleverly as if the cliar-a-banc xau on rails. Don’t miss this trip, because von may possess a nervous temperament. There is not the slightest need to worry. The consideration and courtesy of the driver are beyond all praise. Wo left Cromwell at 5.15 p.m. and reached Queenstown by 8 p.m. \ve had the privilege of deviating from the ordinary route and passing through the old mining settlement of Arrowtown, with its beautiful avenue of trees as one approaches the town. We were greatly interested in the Roaring Meg and Gentle Annie streams, names that have been associated with the Kawarau dam project. Roaring Meg during these dry days has reduced her bellow to a bleat. As one emerges Ironi the gorge wc come into the Canyon country where the Arrow joins the Kawarau, and the testimony is that it compares favorably with the canyons of America from the standpoint of attractiveness. Then in this region wc noticed the seven-mile zig-zag road by which the great Grown Range is scaled until in the face of the cliff the road is cut many hundreds of feet above the gorge. This is the tourist’s daily ride from Queenstown to Pembroke, and in face of’this the thrills of the gorge are pale indeed.

QUEENSTOWN AND THE REMARKABLES.

Beautiful for situation is the little tourist town of Queenstown. No Dunedin resident should miss visiting it at least once. For thirty years 1 have wanted to see this delectable little resort, and now that 1 have seen it J am not disappointed. Photographs give us an impression, but it is alto gether incomplete when compared with the real tiling. 1 am convinced that many northern people have never considered the Otago lakes for a holiday trip on account of the unfortunate title by which they have been known for many years—viz., that of the “ Cold Lakes ” as distinct from the “ Hot Lakes ” of Rotorua. 1 know that many consider this to be a land of perpetual ice and snow, with the water of the lakes down to freezing point level. I have never enjoyed so much sunshine for years as during the short period I have been in this district. It is hot and dry during the day and delightfully cool during the night. A perfectly ideal spot, with perfectly ideal weather, has been my experience. To-day I took the launch trip to Bob’s Cove, about twelve miles distant from Queenstown. For the sum of 4s a delightful afternoon is spent journeying to and from tills ecjually delightful cove, with its magnificent little clump of beautiful birch. Wo were allowed an hour to wander about the shores of the lake and through the bush, after being entertained at afternoon tea, consisting of biscuits and “billy” tea made with a master hand, by the owner of the launch. This tea is a regular contribution, and is included in the modest fee of 4s for tho trip. Another journey on foot was taken up the little gorge through the birch trees that led to the reservoir. Here we found evidence of the serious condition of things, for the supply has fallen many feet below the normal level, and in consequence all water has been cut off from the residents’ gardens. This is a much, more _ serious problem in a district such as this, than it would be in the environs of Dunedin, on account of the fact that no winter feed can be grown here. If the supply of fodder, etc., fails now things will be in a rather parlous condition during the heavy winter that is always experienced. After a short rest at the reservoir we push our way through the remaining section of bush, take the turning to the right, and gain the top of tho mound on the Ben Lomond track. There bursts upon our gaze a truly wonderful and glorious view of Lake Wabatipu, with tho Remarkables jin the background and the township in its setting of green trees, nestling at the foot of the hills in the foreground. It

was well worth the struggle of lighting one’s way through the gully to the top. Thus 'ended our first day in Queenstown. ’ (To be continued.).