AN EXPLORATION.

Hokitika Guardian, 19 March 1924, Page 2

AN EXPLORATION.

THE VALLEY OF THE PERTH. AN INTERESTING HOLIDAY. A party consisting of Dr Tcichelmaim, Air W. A. Kennedy, Dr Buchanan and Air S. AV. Ford (the latter having to return earlier than the others) accompanied by Messrs H. Butland and ,T. Lippe made a holiday trip up the Perth branch, of tlie AVataroa river, South AA’estland. Tlio party left Hokitika on February 6tb and returned to Hokitika yesterday. The object of the exploration was to endeavour to connect up with Dr Teiohelniann’s exploration at the head of the Big AA’nngamii river carried out in 1911. AA’ith the assistance of Alessrs Xohiq Bros, of Alatainui, the Party reached Henry lleveldt’s hut about 5 miles up the Perth river on the first day alter leaving Alatainui. The horses with their packs forded the Wataroa river just below the footbridge. ’I he track from the footbridge to the hut was in a very had condition, being very boggy, following continued use by

cattle. The party were very much indebted tu Air JL Hevchlt for the use of his hut while in the valley. The track beyond the hut for five or six miles was moderately good although it required cleaning out, but beyond that, right up to the head of the valley tracks had to bo cut by the party, and this occupied a considerable amount of their time. Expeditions were made up the valley of the Scone, after a camp had been established at the junction of the Scone and Perth. In some of these expeditious the Seale Pass was crossed on to the Godley Glacier in

Canterbury. On that occasion they had the misfortune to encounter much fog and mist, which quite obscured the magnificent views that otherwise would have been possible to see. Ibo Party continued their advance up the A’alley of the Perth forming another camp about six hours journey up from the Scone camp, at the junction of the two branches. This could only he done alter sparring the Scone river near the junction, as both the Scone and Perl li were quite unl'ordable. The sparring was done in three sections, and Mr 11. Butland displayed great engineering capacity in tlie carrying out of his work, assisted by the rest of the party. From the higher camp, expeditions were made to the extreme head of the A’alley where she saddles over into Ihe Rangitata and Adams rivers basins. Unfortunately the weather during this period was so had that high ascents were made impossible. After waiting for six days for better weather the party returned to their headquarters at lleveldt’s hut, having had a very enjoyable and health-giving holiday. On the whole the Perth river valley was remarkable for its rain and general cloudiness, when the rest of AA'estland seems to ho in sunshine. This was due to the had weather in Canterbury crossing the low divide and entiling down into this valley. Out of six weeks of the expedition three-fourths of the days were wot, dull or snowing. Dr Teiehelmann expects to have some very interesting photographic records of tlie valley.