SOUTH WESTLAND ATTRACTIONS.

Hokitika Guardian, 24 August 1920, Page 4

SOUTH WESTLAND ATTRACTIONS.

VIEWED BY CANTERBURY DELEGATES. AN IMPORTANT VISIT. (Continued from yesterday’s issue). Host Graliam at Waiho Gorge had made very comfortable arrangements for the accommodation of the visiting party, and it was not long before every body felt very much at home. A substantial repast promptly served was done full justice to, and a litte later the delegates reassembled to meet the settlers of the district. Mr D. J. Evans acted as spokesman on behalf of the local residents and referred to the wants of the district, specially stressing the bridges, aiid in particular the bridging of the Waiho river. The need for improved shipping facilities to reduce the cost and to afford a port equal to dealing with a large lumber trade was specially mentioned. Mr Wild who was in the chair, invited the settlers to supply local information of the various matters mentioned, and Messrs Gibb, Green, Donovan, Condon and others and later Mr John Schilling who arrived from Okarito all spoke in re gaird to the various matters and were cross examined at some length by the visitors in search of local knowledge. Later several of the delegates spoke, expressing pleasure at their visit, and their wonderment at what they had seen. They spoke of the desire to assist the district in all reasonable ways and they were satisfied of the actual needs of the district. They saw for themselves how urgent the bridging of the rivers was, and they were prepared to associate themselves in the effort to have the works accelerated. Regarding the improvement of the port of Okarito, a good deal of expenditure would be involved, and they wished to be supplied with further data as to the possible trade to he derived as an outcome of providing an improved entrance.! Eventually - resolutions were carried stressing the urgency of completing the Otira tunnel as rapidly as possible, arid calling on the Government t 0 prosecute the erection of the bridges on the main south road as far as Waiho, as promised, as rapidly as possible; also to include the bridging of the Waiho river- and the widening of the road beyond to’ Weh'eka for vahiclo traffic in the next Estimates. In respect to the port of Okarito it was agreed subject to satisfactory information being suppled by the local harbour improvement committee, that the Canterbury Progress League would throw in its support to the* agitation, asking the Government to go forward with the first section at least pf the scheme propounded by the marine engineers. The matter of an improved mail service was mentioned also, and the disabilities in regard to the medical service. This latter subject was diseufsed later between Mr Wild and the residents and a complete understanding arrived at in respect to the Westland Hospial Board’s scheme to provide a residential nurse in a- small cottage hospital on the south side of the Waiho and arrangements to be concluded with the resident doctor at Ross for professional visits as may he required for the needs of the district. All this business disposed of satisfactorily, and the visitors expressed their thanks for the courtesies extended to them, going on to remark on the assured future South Westland had before it as the access to and fro was improved and made more safe and regular The meeting was a heartening one, and the residents were highly delighted with the interest taken in their affairs by outsiders, who were thanked accordingly for the trouble and time devoted to a visit to 'tl\c south. !

On Friday morning the first item on

tlio day’s programme iv;w an early breakfast to permit of a short visit to Wailio Glacier. Mr Alee Graham kindJly ‘acted as guide for the expedition which set out' at 8.15 for the most remarkable glacier in the world—there is no other; except jit bo the Fox ai few miles further south, which is so read-

ily accessible below the snowline. Eh route, tho site of tho proposed bridge across the Wnilio river was inspected, and some idoa formed of the turbulent waters which have to be forded year in and year out by stock and travellers, pushing their way south on horseback. A personal vow of the location was sufficient to convert everyone to the crying need for the bridge as a means to avoid possible loss ol liie arid to ensure the {treat district beyond being linked rip with the north by means of vehicle traffic. This agreed iipoii, arid tho walking party pushed oii through a sylvan track for the glacier. It is a bush track pure arid tilthpie, rough, arid broken is places, but always of groat beauty. Olio of the members of the party when he had peiiotrated some, distance remarked that the surroundings see tried to call to his mind his preconceived ideas of what the Garden of Edch iiiust have been like, and he expected almost at every turn to seo Adam stand forth. As for the mailer of that, nothing hut modern man, probably charged with a, good deal of Old Adam, was to be seen, while it was certainly an Eveless Eden —ladies having been barred from the party . As the sightseers progressed inland they caught glimpses of tlie glacier from various standpoints. The field of ice glistened in the brilliant sunlight and presented a unique spectacle, and a subject for one to marvel at continually. When nearing the objective, Mr Graham deviated a lew yards, and brought the visitors to a sight of Peter’s Pool. Hero was seen the most exquisite scenic gem of the whole trip. Peter’s Pool is a tiny pond sot on a small eminence. It is below the glacier which jranges off above it, but into the placid waters of of the pool are reflected all the glories of the glacier and tlio bush clad hills and country surrounding it. It is a beauty spot beyond compare, and as tho visitors saw this remarkable natural scene under the best conditions, they could realise what a distinctive feature it is of tlio neighbourhood and •wliat claims there are for asking Government to make the route to such a natural beauty spot a work of tlie first importance. Fain would the visitors have lingered to absorb the scene more and more, but time was the essence of the contract and the party pushed on to view the glacier at close quarters. Passing Sentinel Rock the visitors went down into the moraine to inpect tlie terminal face of ico and see at close quarters tlie majestic proportions of this great natural feature. AH were impressed with what they saw and marvlled at tho beauty ol tlie scene, tli grandeur of which surpassed any idea the visitors previously had of a river of ice pushing its way seawards. Comment was passed on the neglect of tho locality as a tourist resort. Someone suggested a comparison of the palatial buildings at Rotorua, to the corrugated iron hutments which tlie authorities thought sufficed for Westland. Or;' again, the rough uneven track, with bridgeless water courses to be crossed on rough slippery logs, to tho well kept roads provided by a. paternal Government in other more favoured districts of New Zealand which could not present more distinctive features than Westland, however much public money might bo spent in artificial adornment of the country. Later somo of the party inspected the hot springs of the district, and here again were evidences of the indifference of tho Tourist Department to the needs of the locality .A rough bath house of primative design and comfortless convenience has been set up, and thq enthusiast may find his own spring water as best he can with a. manual hand pump. Mr Graham was of opinion a modest sum spent in prospecting for the source of the spring would result in a free flow of water, and with ftfew modest pounds spent in bath improvements there would be an asset provided which would qiiickly justify its use and become one of tlie chief attractions of the district because of its material value. The Canterbury delegates were quick to realise this, and all seemed to make a mental note that they would actively support the claims for tho opening of the scenic attractions of the Waiho glacier and viciriity. A smart walk brought the party back to the hotel by 10.45 and a quarter of an hour later tho cars were cn route on the return journey. Before leaving there were hearty leave takings from the hospitable residents of Waiho Gorge. Three days before a party of Government-aided prospectors had struck a run of wash up the Gallery river, and tho visitors had the opportunity of seeing some virgin gold just won from nature. There were Several good specimens, and each of the press-

■ men from Christchurch Were presented with a small nugget. Mr Wild performed this pleasing duty in happy terms, and Mr Digby, (Christchurch “Press”) acknowledged the little gilt on behalf of his confreres aiul himself. Some of tho visitors also procured some . acid specimens as a memento of their ■ visit —all being much interested in the . gold find and tli© interesting description of how tho precious metal had been won. Cheers for host and hostess, the guide, Mr Schilling, and the progress of the district, and the party were soon speeding away. In the rich forenoon light Lake Ma- . pourika presented a very pretty sight. The wafers were tranquil, and reflected the bush and mountains within range. Here and there majestic black swan sailed over the waters, while native birds gave music in the bush. It was another scenic delight for the visitors, who continued to marvel iat tlie unending variety of the splendours nature provided for the entertainment of the traveller. ith such "lories all about him they felt no one could feel lonely or tired when passing along tho South Westland high way. The party drew up at The Forks according to time-table for lunch eon. Mrs Heveldt catered liberally for tho inner man and it was a, contented and well satisfied party which emerged from the dining doom. Everywhere the visitors remarked appreciatively of the quality and variety of the food, and tho cleanliness and promptness with which it was served. As one of the party remarked: “We have fared sumptuously every day.” The next stopping place was at MaLainui, where the settlers of the \\ ata- J roa district were to lie met. En route jj tho travellers passed Lake Waluipo, : which was also in keen competition • {with its Bister lakes for pride of place in the memory of the visitors. There was some delay in negotiating tho Waitangi ford, where again the horse and

cart ferry had t(i be requisitioned. However the Matain ui dairy factoiy i was reached in good time;, aiid a goodly 1 gathering of residents iroiii Watxiroa, 1 Waitahgi aiid Rbtokiho were present. * Mr Georgo Northcrdft was the spokesI man of the district, supplemented by 1 remarks froiii Mr S. Richardson. Here * the request was for the speedihg up of J Waitatigi bridge, and some suggestion was made for a. change of site which would afford a move direct route. Mr Evans advised the settlers not to die- ! agree over tile site, but as the bridge was urgently needed place it where the I engineers had decided and not delay [ tho construction. This view was -generally endorsed by all present. A request was made for the extension of I tho railway south. Some of tho visi- ! tors thought this was not possible with | over 40 uncompleted railway lines being iii progress already. Some details (were given of 'tlie position in regard to the railway which had been authorised in 1911, and in respect to which a petition to the Minister of Public Wbrks had been most favourably received The need for bridges generally was mentioned, ns also the urgency for a port at Okarto to permit of regular shipping, the cost of transport overland adding enormously to the cost of lieling. All these matters were dealt with 1 on lines similar to tho resolutions at. 1 Waiho Gorge, the previous evening, | with respect to which the Wataroa peoJ pie were in complete concurrence. Mail i and other matters were discussed, and ! in fespect to tho former, complaint was | made that, at times East Coast mails j which came over to Hokitika on Tuesj days were held up for a week at citliei Hokitika or Ross, through not being j sent forward by the following day’s ' mail. With a service once a week onj ly, this delay penalised the district very considerably. The cordiality of the settlers’ welcome having been acknowledged ,the party again moved north and good time was made through t 0 the Little Wanganui River. Tlio * request sent in advance for a horse 1 ferry had not been compiled with, but I No 1 and No 2 cars got through safely. No 3 was lightened of its load by 1 a venturesome visitor, who baulked, however, at one of the heavy weights, 1 and then No. 2 car went in again and J- tow<id out No 3 and Hari Safi was 1 reached in good time. A short spin I was then taken down the Wanganui. ' Flat road as far as the Herepo facI tory, and along the route the visitors ! saw more signs of cultivation than they had seen elsewhere. Some of the settlers were met, and the manager of the factory, (Mr Rankin), gave the visitors considerable information- regard jug tlio dairying records and prospects of tho district. Then n visit was paid to McLean Bros model farm, where Mr Paterson, tlio manager, showed several of the visitors over portion of tlio fami, and inspected the stud stock. At night at the public hall there was a large attendance to discuss district wants. Mr Wild was in the,chair, supported by Mr W. Thiele, Chairman of the Dairy Factory. Addresses were given by Messrs Thiele, Hewer, Searie, White, St George and others, all of w-liom voiced different requirements. There was an interesting interlude r.vlien Mr W. J. .Butler on behalf of Stuart and Chapman limited gave particulars of an offer made to tho Government with regard to the extension of tlio railway south from Ross. The address was well received, and put the settlers into excellent heart as to prospects of receiving mu eh sooner than they expected improved means of transit by rail. The bridging of the rivers and other matters were discussed Slid the previous resolutions passed in the south were reconfirmed. Very interesting addresses were given by the visitors who gave their hearers some idea of the impressions formed of the south district and the claims the people had in asking for improved travelling facilities. Encouraging remarks were passhd as to the prospects and outlook for the district, and unanimous voice as th the support the south would receive from the Canterbury Progress League and its influential backing of public bodies and members of Parliament. At the invitation of the Chairman, Mr Evans spoke briefly thanking tho visitors for their presence aiid interest in Westland. He remarked that the present was the largest and most influential delegation which had ever been in the south. In addition to the numerical strength of the delegation, there were three pressmen representing three newspapers in Christchurch, and the matter and comment on the tour |vollid be read by tens of thousands of readers who would get an impression of Westland from an independent source, so that the present tour might be regarded as one of the best advertisements Westland had ever received. After complimentary motions had been passed and acknowledged, the business of the evening came to an end, and most of tho party remained to a. social dance which followed, a. very pleasant three or four hours being passed. . On Saturday the party were under way by 9 o’clock for tlie Waitalia Settlement. A smart run tpok the visitors to the factory, where DllBeard, tlio manager, and several settlers including Messrs McGowan, Martin, Davidson, Linklater, Stankey and others were met and local and general matters discussed. Roads and bridges wore tlie chief topic, followed by reference to railways, and winding up witli the need for a second mail service. The visitors discussed the matters fully with the settlers, all of Whom were pleased to see such an interest taken in tlie .welfare of the district. Shortly after 11 o’clock the party was moving north again, and after a short stay at Ferguson’s, readied Ross for lunch at one o’clock. At Ross the visitors were the guests of the Ross Borough Council. Mr S. P. [Evans, (Mayor of Ross), was present as also several of liis colleagues and the Town Clerk, (Dir Peebles). The Mayor welcomed the visitors and in enumerating the requirements of Westland! spoke of the completion of the Otirxi. tunnel, the bridging of the south rivers, anil the extension of the railway. Those works had the hearty support of the delegates, some of whom spoke briefly. Luncheon was then served at tlio Empire hotel, and prior to leaving the Borough a short visit was paid to the lime-kiln works, the visitors expatiating on tlie value of lime for tho West Coast lands. This concluded the itinerary for the WestJand trip, and a smart run brought the party to Hokitika by 3.30 o’clock. Tho visitors went north by the 5 o’clock train. Beforo departing DTessrs Hoi- 1

land and Me Alpine expressed very grateful thanks for all tlie kindness shown them. They had been delighted ivith their trip and oil that they saw ,and would carry away the best of impressions of Westland and its possibilites Mr Evans acknowledged the remarks on behalf of tho local committee of The Progress League, and as tlie train moved out hearty cheers were exchanged between Canterbury aiul Westland representatives on the platform.