THE OVERLAND POSITION.

Hokitika Guardian, 11 May 1923, Page 2

THE OVERLAND POSITION.

NTERATEW WITH AIR CLEMENTS

CAR SERVICE RUNNING-DAILY

Air S. E. Clements, Managing Director of Clements Alotors’ Ltd., who left at 5 o’clock yesterday morning by car for the scene of tho hold-up on the Christchurch road returned this morning at 5 o’clock after a" tiring iournev cf 21 hours.

Air Clements reports the road from Hokitika to Craigieburn, now known as Flock Hill (2-1 miles on the Canterbury sido of Arthur’s Pass) is normal. Starting up the steep cutting at Craigieburn they encountered snow. The higher they got the deeper was the snow, till at the top of tho cutting the snow was two feet deep. One of Clements Alotors Ltd., powerful 8-cylinder Cadillac cars equipped with, heavy chains on the wheels ■*or gripping the .snow-clad road ploughed its way right through. From then on till the Springs were reached the snow on the road averaged 6 inches to 18 inches deep all tho way. When the Springs were reached and the ascent towards the top of Porter’s Pass was commenced the snow was found to be much deeper and the last three miles to the top of Porter’s Pass average three feet of snow on the road. Teh condition, cf the road itself is fair, in a number of places it being cut away on the sailings by the heavy rains and now, but is easily negotiable.

On arrival at the top of Porter’s Pass, after passing Lake Lyndon about ]J miles, a connection was made with the Company’s cars that had come out from Christchurch yesterday morning. The drivers reported that the journey from Christchurch was good to the Kowliai which is about 7 miles on the Coast side of Springfield. The Kowliai river bed was found to be very badly washed out in places, making it very rough, to cross, but the cars did and can safely negotiate the crossing. From thence to the foot of Porter’s Pass no difficulty was experienced, there being very little snow and the ,oad was in fair condition considering tho special downpour and Hoods of the past few days. The ascent of Porter’s Pass was made till about two thirds of the way up, a large slip has come down. It was unable to pass this place with the ears. Passengers walked past the slip and the luggage was packed on horses, the connection being made lieio by the cars from the (Vest Coast side.

Owing to the necessity of opening up immediate communication, and the authorities not moving promptly in the matter, Clements Alotors Ltd., havo made arrangements for clearing thatsection of the road around Lake Lyndon ami Porter’s Pass to enable traffic to ho continued, a team of 12 to 15 horses and half a dozen men being engaged oil the work. In conjunction with one of the Otira coaches tho through service from Christchurch to Hokitika and Greymouth and vice versa is being maintained daily, Sunday included, and all passengers holding Clements Motors Ltd., overland tickets are assured of being able to get ihrough either vox.

The road will be cleared free of snow by Tuesday or Wednesday it no further falls take place.