CONNECTING SOUTH WESTLAND.

Hokitika Guardian, 10 May 1926, Page 4

CONNECTING SOUTH WESTLAND.

WITH SOUTHLAND AND OTAGO FIORDLAND AND LAKES. (From A Correspondent.) So little is known of the lower potion of the i>rovincc that it is no wonder the existence of a direct route to Otago and Southlands wonderful sounds and lakes has been overlooked by our Progress Leagues and Tourist Associations. The very fact that this portion may only offer revenue from possble tourist traffic for perhaps many years to come points out the wisdom of the Government snatching the only source of revenue available, an important matter on its own, to say nothing of the importance offering the travelling public such a valuable and important connection by linking up the direct main south road and well-known tourist route via the Waiho and Fox Glaciers (which in turn give access to the Copeland hot springs and Pass, and Haast Pass Track), with all the wellknown. much advertised and highly patronised lakes and sounds ol the adjoining provinces. It has been the Government aim to make all the tours circular to enable the traveller to enter fresh ground in every mile. The revenue from such an undertaking as is here suggested would be secured direct by the Government in steamer fares, railway fares and accommodation charges, most houses of which are controlled by the Government in this area

outlined. Tlie Government combined steamer and railway direct communication with the south-eastern outlet of this suggested connecting route should be profitable addition to the existing traffic*. If Westland would only siilfi c iently realise the importance ot he.* lower isolated scenic* attractions and their valuable position to connect with other highly advertised and patronised routes, she would soon muster her ablest organising power to seek practical knowledge by a thorough investigation on the ground. Westland has

even some advantages over her competing neighbouring provinces. The whole of this proposed route is easily (with some opening up) traversable for horse traffic while the famous Milford Track and other tracks in the Sound District can only be undertaken by tramping parties who also have to carry two days’ provisions, etc. Such a route if opened up would give access to quite a number of grand tours. J hey ;l re: The Westland Track to the Mouth of the Hollyl'ord River, on stands up the northern shores of l ake MeKerrow, tu> the Hollyl’ord River, crossing the Pyke River at the Gorge and Junction which is the outlet of I.nice Alabasta and AA ilmont, leaving the Holly-ford River and crossing Harris Saddle near the heautilul Harris Lake, into' Routehurn and down mto Diamond Lake and Paradise Accommodation House, there by road to Glcnorchy the head of Lake Wakatipu. one of the largest lakes in the South Island. The Government steamer previously mentioned from Glenorchy to Queenstown hall way* down the Lake, or on to Kingston, the railway terminus. By tin* same route as far as where the track branches off to Harris Saddle, and from there continuing in a south-easterly* direction and still travvelling up the north bank of the Hollyford River, crossing the range at the Greenstone Saddle, via Lakes Ilotvden, Loekie and Fergus and down the Greenstone Valiev to Elfin Bay, Lake \\ akatipu i tbe route used by McKenzie Bros the oil]v residents on the West Coast). Another route is, instead ol leaving tbe last, route at the point where tbe track traverses for the Greenstone Saddle, continue on, via Lake Gunn and Dore’s Pass to Glade House, at the head of Lake To Anna, the second largest lake in New Zealand.• being JO miles long. From Glade House, the steamer runs three times a week to the foot of the Lake from which White Star cars run to Lumsden Station and other centres. From Glade House the traveller can proceed westwards along the lamotis Milford Track to Milford Sounds and the Sutherland Falls. Another route can be taken from Glade House—down tbe Lake by steamer and up the middle Ford and l.v track to George Sounds via Lake Thomson and Lake Katherine. From To Annu (loot of Lake To Amui) Lake Manapouri. the lake of 30 islands, by road thence by boat, on tlie Lake to Spey River by* tbe wonderful walk to Doubtful Sounds. • What would tbe addition of tbe Westland scenic beauty spots mean to Westland and to Westland's annual stream of tourists and to Otago and Southland, so conveniently situated to these well known spots herein mentioned. The isolation is not so real as the public are made to believe and only wants some peal into the matter by our progressive men. The best method to attain the enthusiasm necessary to achieve something workable, is for qualified men to pul sufficient time into a thorough investigation into the host ways and means. In the past tracks, expensive ones too, were made for prospectors into difficult country and nothing was the outcome of it, only to find the track never again required and revert into its forest state. The provosed route has been made passable and is even in existence yet blit passable only* with difficulty. Now that tourist organisa- . lions are forming tours connecting as they have never done before tbe time is opportune to get to work and seek our share of public moneys, spent annually* on opening up and maintaining tourist tracks and resorts. Our scenic attractions cannot be excelled l anywhere in the Dominion so why hesitate? The proposed route south of! Okuru tons the area included in the Jackson’s Bay development, scheme, also the fertile Cascade Valley and the mineral. belt south of it. The'track to the'Cascades is in good order but tbe track southwards to Barn Bay* requires some attention. A large proportion of the distance from Barn Bay is by sea beach and no large livers have to be encountered, the route continuing eastwards on the north hank of the Lake and Hollyford River. The local White Star representnive proposes to traverse the whole of this route shortly* with a view of taking through a pioneer party of tourists, ladies . included, next summer. Mr Winslow, a well known Southland resident and well known in tourist circles has been invited to join the local White Star guide to inspect the route in the near future.