SOUTH ISLAND SCENERY

Hokitika Guardian, 6 February 1926, Page 2

SOUTH ISLAND SCENERY

AUCKLANDER’S APPRECIATION. CHRISTCHURCH, February 5. Some interesting comments concerning the trip to the South Island are contained in a letter sent by an Auckland motorist, Mr J. Selwyn Colegrove, to -Mr J. S. Hawkes, secretary of the Canterbury Automobile Association, After returning thanks for the information Air Hawkes was able to give him, and stating that he had returned homo

after covering over 2000 miles, Air Colegrove states: — “From Christchurch we proceeded to Hokitika, railing the ear from Springfield to Otira, and thence on to the Franz Josef Glacier, which was perhaps the most enjoyable portion of the tour. “In common with other tourists with whom we came in contact, "C "ere greatly impressed with the beauty of the AYest Coast scenery, which I am quite prepared to admit is not surpassed bv anything of its kind in the world. “ The roads as a whole were excellent, and with the exception of a few unbridged rivers on the way to AYaiho,, present no difficulties. These rivers wewere fortunate in crossing with verylittle trouble, and I should strongly re.--commend visiting motorists to do theGlacier trip if at all possible.” “ The South Island guide was found to give very accurate information, in fact, more so than the North Island guide, which is more in need of revision. However, the Auckland province is more advanced in road signs, thus minimising the necessity for a

guide. “If I might bo permitted to make one or two suggestions, I would recommend that intending motorists . to the Glacier he given a few useful hints for fording the rivers. Firstly, a sack should be carried to be hung in front of the radiator when fording, and the fan should be tied when the waters are at all high, to prevent undue splashing, and any vital part such as the distributor covered over with a piece of rag. It is also advisable in the cases where foot-bridges are erected, first to mount tbe bridge, whence a fair idea can lie obtained of the shallowest crossing. With these few precautions it is surprising what deep creeks can be forded without trouble.. “ AYo found at Springfield that special peimission must be obtained at Christchurch for ladies to travel on the-

goods train, even though the usual indemnity be signed. Time could perhaps bo saved if this were generally known beforehand. In our ease as it' happened, we wore able to overcome this difficulty, although we expected tobe held up for some hours until the necessary authority was obtained. “ T .have from time to time heard criticism of the service car drivers, but my experience showed this to be unwarranted. These men are, I consider deserving of the highest praise. They are competent drivers, and knew ’their jobs, and can be relied on not to lose their heads in a.n emergency. Furthermore, they are invariably willing to lend assistance when necessary.”