RESOURCES OF THE WEST COAST.

Hokitika Guardian, 19 June 1923, Page 1

RESOURCES OF THE WEST COAST.

A LAX I) OF PROMISE. POTENTIAL WEALTH OF FINE DISTRICT, i f (Lyttelton Times). > Knell year sees the number of tourists who visit Westland increase steadily, hut, when it is possible to take train at Christchurch and journey through to Greymouth and Ilokitilcn. doubtless many more people will set out to view the attractions of the West Const. And they will not be disappointed. At the present time the tour of inspection is a little broken, but the completion of the Coast road between Westport and Greymouth will make possible a round trip taking in the Duller Gorge, the Grey and Innngnhua valleys and the magnificent coastal scenery. By way of introduction to the heatuies of this part of the Dominion that trip should serve admirably. And then the visitors will come south and here, too, Westland can offer scenery of a truly mgnnifieent character. There is a chain of lakes—each one a gem of beauty—and although to-day a separate trip is required to visit some of them, I have lio doubt that, in time, they will he linked together l>v a broad highway and the tour of the Westland lakes will become most popular. Travelling down from Otira the visitors will catch a glimpse of Lake Moana, or Brunner, but not very far away is llaupiri, not easily accessible yet, but one of the chain fo be formed. Then one should not miss Lake Kaniori, a beauty spot 'lmt defies description, a few miles from Hokitika and served bv a good road. .Nestling among the hush-clad 'tills Kanieri is a dream of beauty. Mahinapua is only a short distance front Hokitika and can he reached by rail. Still travelling southward one trasses Lake Inutile, and then (he beautiful Wahapri, and lastly Mnpotirikn. The main road skirts the shores of these three lakes, placid .sheets of witter set amid Hie most beautiful surroundings. As we passed Wahapo the other morning two crested grebes were swimming a hunt near the centre and the car made sonic black tea! push out hurriedly It out the shore. Not a breath oi wind ruffled the surface and the hush-clad lulls mi the far side were reflected as in a mighty mirror. There is milhing to ofleinl the eye of the traveller here. No painted sign urges the superlative qualities of somebody’s eiire for colds and no buildings are visible. Towards the southern end of Lake .Mapnurika one catches a glimpse of the snow-dad mountains and they, too. are reflected in the waters of the lake to perfection. From time to time the motor has passed through virgin hush, the tall, graceful trees standing like (lie pillars of some immense cathedral. And so, winding ils way hv lake it ml stream, through forc'd and clearing, the main south road brings the visitor to I lie alpine glaciers. All ilte way down there had

been enchanting views of the mountains, and at length we reached our destination, the W'ailin. within three ’"dm of the great Frail/. Joseph glacier. Tim ait ructions of this glacier have hci-n dealt with by many able writers, hut it should he seen l>v all who love the majestic works of nature. Kor some years it has been receding, hut not long ago it began to advance again and I am told that each day finds it two feet further down the valley. People who v'sit the place several times a year assure me that it is now more interesting limn it has been for years past. The vast ice eaves, with their marvellous blue tones, are enchanting and as we followed Hie guide upward the grandeur of the scene induced the members of tho parly to silence. Away tin on the left we could see the swing bridges crossing the gaps on Hindi's track. As already slated, an unprecedented rise of the glacier some years ago carried away one of the galleries along the track. A little work would make this path, far up above the iee-si ream. available for tourists. \vay no the glacier is the Reliance lint, the lirst stage on the trau—alpine route from the W'aiho to The Hermitage, a three or four days’ journey that must lie marvellous. Hut beyond the YVaiho and Hie Fran/, Josef lies a land that uittsl become a popular place with the tourist. There is the famous Copeland Pass, leading over to The Hermitage. The journey can lie done in three days. There are lints on the way, and the going is good. At Welcome Elat is a boiling spring. The silica in the water, falling down to the lower pool, is forming beautiful terraces, a terracotta in colour. Set among the bush,

this spot—and the terrace formation is about a chain wide—is a delightful ie-ting place. Kroni Welcome Elat io The Hermitage at Mount Conic is a long day’s tramp and one would need to be in good walking condition. Not long ago two ladies made tlie journey without any trouble. Still further south i- the Ilaast saddle, over which cattle have been driven from the West Coast to Central Otago. There are. two lulls along the route and it is possible to ride over, coming out oil the other side at the head of Lake Wanaka. These routes across the mountains open tip visions of a trip that will take in gorge, lake, glacier and mountain .scenery not equalled ill the Southern Hemisphere. That is what Westland ran offer. It will indeed be the grand tour and very little is needed to make it possible.