SOUTH WESTLAND.

Hokitika Guardian, 10 February 1923, Page 1

SOUTH WESTLAND.

A QUIET CORNER

(Contributed.)

There have been many visitors to South Westland and it is safe to say that all of them have been delighted with its magnificent scenery. In some cases the praise has been almost extravagant, but the great majority have been pleased beyond tjicir expectations. And really when you think of the variety to he seen in the ninety miles from Hokitika to AVailio it is not to be wondered at. AVby there are a- hundred charming views on Aft. Hercules alone !

But all through the drive presents a series of very beautiful views—the long straight stretches of road avenued by the forest trees—the hurrying rivers—the three quiet lakes so still in their woodland settings—the mighty hushcovered slopes stretching towards the snow line and the great glacier. Aft. Cook to cap it all. Probably no other ninety miles of road in New Zealand can show such a splendid variety of lovely views. All this has boon told many times by skilled writers and is nmv generally known and the object of this present- writing is to turn your attention to one or two spots oil the beaten track. Turning from the beaten track wo can find many charming spots each possessing some distinctive beauty of its own. Of one of these - the Okarito Lagoon —T would like to tell your readers a little. It is a fine sheet of water lying near the sea, so near in fact that it i.under tidal inlluenco for the greater part of its seven square miles. There are many islands (on one of which the Okarito racecourse stands!—ami many shallows to trap the novice who attempts to navigate its expanse—But to those who know it is possible to explore every nook and corner and the resulting pleasure is well worth while. On a sunny day it is very pleasant to poke about the reed beds and channels in a small boat or Hatty. B >s said ami 1 suppose with some reason, that a motor launch would enhance pleasun* that has not come to pass yet. Porlm! s a motor boat would destroy one of the principal charms by scaring the bird life away. And the bird life i- truly wonderful. Towards tin- muthem cud they seem to have > binned .sanctuary and ’are there is great jium-l-ers The I.Jack swans predominate, but 'hmk teal. V-ukeko. red-lull. solve mi:,,, and all vari. tir-' of shags and gulls are inimbe' loss, and while the

wldie crane is not numerous it is provable i bey aie more plentiful here He n a!ivwhere in X.Z. How the bird lovers would enjoy a Sow days here d Hu-v knew. Wouldn't Professor Drummond l-e in hi- clement ? Well, if all adds to the attraction of the Lagoon am! the whole makes a fair sight one well worth the trouble of the live miles drive from the Forks. Unfortunately like many other attractive spots its beauties are n"t- known t.o any extent, and so tourists miss wlint would he a fine addition to tlu-ir southern trip. Tt is a. pity it is not, included in the AVailio trip and T think your Progress League might do worse than endeavour to bring it. under notice of the travellers, ft would also he well to'point out that it is possible of obtain one of the finest views of Alt. Cook and the Glacier at the live .Mile Beach. As its name indicates this Beach is live miles south of Okarito and is usually easy to reach. The drawback, however, is that often during the summer months the view is obscured by haze and clouds. However in the winter months (and this is an argument in favour of your all the vear season, as lately advocated! the view is very clear and the sunsets oil Aft. Cook on the clear frosty evenings :iro something to remember. The writer has seen many lovely sunsets from the Beach and always the lines of Carrie's line poem, came back

to memory—- “ And wo will travel a weary wnv Kre we come to a sight as grand As the lingering flush of the still's last ray. On the Peaks of Afaoriland.” —tV. WAV.