OKURU NEWS.

Hokitika Guardian, 5 June 1926, Page 3

OKURU NEWS.

x (From A Correspondent.) GENERAL. OKU RU, May 15. Snow fell heavily during the last few days over one foot laying on Paringa Pass and nearly two feet on the Haast Pass and adjoining country. Two men from Otago attempted a trip from Pembroke to Bourke hint, Haast Pass Track but owing to weather conditions did not cross the saddle. They proceeded up the Lake Wan akn in a canoe-shaped tin boat which was fitted with air cushions round the sides. Major Aclaiul, of Christchurch, is at present quail shooting at Lake Hawea. The Major relates his eventful trip prior to the war from Canterbury to Lake Wakatipu, Otago, on horse back, by way of Arthurs Pass, Okuru, Big Bay and liollyford Saddle. lie was accompanied by a younger companion. They had to abandon their steeds at

Lake MeKerrow, as was afterwards discovered due to their mistaking the route and taking one impassable for horse traffic. It is very few who have undertaken this route but it is understood efforts ary afoot whereby this little-known route is to becomes opened up for regular tourist traffic, connecting Westland’s scenic, attractions to the Milford Sounds and Fiordland. Mr J. .Mackny, director of the Dunedin, -Waiinka Motors Ltd and Mr F. Norris, proprietor of the Lake Wanakit ferry and launch service have postponed their intended trip into Westland via Haast Pass until July.

Mr A. McKegg, proprietor of tho well-known Pembroke Hotel, Lake Wanaku, with a lady companion made a. recent trip to the Haast Pass. The Pembroke White Star Accommodation House is undergoing extensive enlargements and improvements to cope with the increased tourist traffic. They anticipate a notable increase next season from Westland via Haast Pass. 'l’lie Vincent County Council, who control the Otago section of the Haast Pass have voted one hundred pounds for immediate repair work. This section has long been in need of attention, young mountain birch trees growing well over the track for several miles. 'Ten trees were recently encountered by a traveller crossing over on (horseback. besides many minor obstacles. While attempting to get round one trecj bis horse lost its footing on the steep, rocky face, falling many feet down. The horse had to be abandoned that| night until the traveller found tools and returning next day cleared and , benched the track nn to the main j track which was accomplished then . with iniicli difficulty. This is not the. first horse that has come to grief oil this track this season. A lew years, ago three young horses were found dead down one steep portion of the j track and the same year a rider and, horse fell down a sheer laee. the rider

having a miraculous escape. The annual Wanuka Dog Trials were held at Pembroke on 14th. 15th and Kith. Arrangements have been made to pack eyed eggs and young English Brown trout from the Otago Acclimatisation Hatchery at Pembroke to the Burke and Clarke Branches of tho Haast River. The Aard Motor Service width have been running daily from Pembroke to Dunedin have ceased operations. Also Audorsons Motor Service connecting Pembroke with the railway terminus at Cromwell. For a number of years past weather wires have been despatched from the Meteorological Office. Wellington, to Okuru, to be made available lor the general public and lor guidance ot the local observer hut of late these wires have been rcpeatdly lost in transmission, often several days running. Word lias been received from I lie Director of the Department. Mr D. C. Bates, that the telegrams have been forwarded each dav and lie has now taken the matter

Mr W. Breeze (late of Hokitika) has ollered to join the party who propose to inspect the route connecting Westland and the cold lakes of Otago and •Southland during the winter. Mr W. D. Nolan, a settler of Okuru. is interesting . himself in the advertising of the 1 least Pass mailing scheme which was commenced last summer and which is meeting with so much support from many usotul quarters. Mr James has circulated a petition from Wailio down to Okuru which has been largely supported. A further petition is being circulated further north, embracing Hokitika, while others are being circulated in Otago. It is understood Mr Cunningham, at one time a well known surveyor in this province, once stated he would consider £B,OOO would he ample to cover tho cost of making a good vehicle'road trom Haast Post Office to Makaroa. where a good road already exists. Mr Cunningham who was for a lengtnv period engaged in surveying throughout this proposed route is perhaps the most reliable person to estimate such an undertaking. Such a small cost as mentioned is nothing to he considered when comparing the undertaking fully completed, to say nothing of its great importance and the important, developments that would follow. The cost of road construction at the time Mr Cunningham made this estimate was much lower than to-dav. MAY 24. ADVISORY COMMITTEE MEETING.

Owing to adverse weather conditions only a very small section of the community were present. The whole population of Huluika were unable to attend owing to Hoods. Nothing is vet definitely known regarding the outcome of the meeting. It is the feeling of many that another meeting should be called. BOAT ALTERATION. It is understood shareholders and others are being invited to .subscribe to te cost of installing new engines and oter alterations for the carrying of timber. etc., in the ketch “ Elsie.” At present there appears to he little response to the call. While it is admitted more power is required shareholders do not consider it wise to expend further to that vessel. Some are of opinion better results would be to purchase a new vessel with the necessary

power and accommodation. ST!? ETCHER CONVEY A NCE. During tlie past several applications have been made to the Hospital Board for a wheekji stretcher for settlers residing in the Far South yet nothing practical appears to have been done in the matter. If our worthy members were to take sufficient time to understand and realise the danger and difficulties of sick members in such an isolated, pioneering community as this, they would at once expend such a small amount and procure the stretcher. From Okuru over fifty miles have had to he traversed on foot hy volunteers taking in turns a turn at the stretcher and it as to he remembered also, the rough, stony surface and steep grades of the track with no permanent residents on the whole journey from the Haast upwards. This has had to ho done on several occasions during late years. "While fifty miles has to he covered in this tedious manner their still remains another fifty miles hy trap to the motor service terminus, which even then is a day’s journey from medical aid. The purchase of a wheeled stretcher would not be costly and the journey to Mahitahi over the Afatakitaku Range, would be accomplished so much easier to the patient, less ardious to the. helpers and in much less time. These stretchers are built narrow and suitable for covering rough country and therefore so suitable in this case.

A suitable - stretcher could be purchased probably from the Defence Department at a reasonable figure. MOTOR ACCIDENT; " A motor accident occurred at the foot o.f Lake Wanali’a last week clue to faulty steering gear. The occupants. Mr C'hsa. Barker (the owner) and his sister Miss M. Barker, Mr Scott (Pembroke) and Mr C'has Norman of Makaroa were all thrown out hut except with a few bruises and minor cuts no one was hurt. The car, which was a light delivery bus, was returning from a dance about mid-night. The night was extremely cold and snow lay heavily. The ear is m “ hospital ” somewhat disfigured. HAAST PASS AGAIN. (Extract from the “Otago Daily Times,” May 10th, 192675 LAKES AND FIORDLANDS. WANAKA AND HAAST PASS.

Professor Arnold Wall, who recently made a botanical tour in the course of his notes writes:— “ This low and easy Pass might be used far more than it is if the route were made safer for travellers. As the rivers afford magnificent trout fishing this valley throughout deserves its reputation as a sportsman’s paradise.” The “ Otago Daiy Times ” of May 11th reports a party of tourist officers is expected to pass through South Westland and the Haast Pass this month, for the purpose of investigating a practical route for a proposed road. GENERAL. A number of sporting parties are camping in the Hunter Valley at the head of Lake Hawea. Mr W. O’Leary, now ferryman at Waitoto River, has recently returned from a trip to Dunedin, his first for several years and expresses surprise at the wonderful progress made in his native province during recent years. Mr O’Learv. who refers himself as

11 Arawata Bill,” is probably tho most outstanding hermit in the. Dominion. For many years he was engaged in prospecting in the isolated upper reaches of the Arawata River which was accessible only by a good day’s clamber through a very difficult and dangerous gorge known as the “ Ten Hour Gorge.” The Valley here opens out into a large grassy flat and Mr O’Leary’s only neighbours were kens and a few fat rabbits. His kea friends were at times rather too “ friendly ” as when leaving his tent entrance one early morning a cheeky kea politely lifted his hat from his head am] later made a mess of the tent. Air O’Leary met many old acquaintances during his holiday and returned again very enthusiastic on gold prospecting. Our friend tried his luck at all the many amusements at Logan Park, even the slide, which he so enjoyed that lie many times repeated. But he failed to sit comfortable in the modern coaches (ears), fearing every minute it might overturn in its wild and sudden dips, twists and turns. His first few moments in the car was unnerving and lie found it necessary to hug the seat and the driver with rather .too much force. He also cancelled his seat in the White Star ears, preferring the trains. Mrs McPherson leaves by the next boat, which is now overdue, for a holiday with her daughter. Mrs J. McBride. of Matainui. via Hokitika. Mrs McPherson has many years resided at Okuru and belongs to the few remaining pioneers of this district. She has been a widow for many years and carried on the farm with her sons and daughter under many adverse conditions' .and istSll 'thinks nothing of handling stock and other manual jobs on the farm. It is hoped Mrs McPherson will spend a pleasant and wellearned holiday. Mr James has enquiries from an old ■school acquaintance who now resides in Victoria, Australia, and who desires to settle in New Zealand. It is probable his old companion will be persuaded to settle in our thinly populated .district and take an active hand in the development of our idle natural resources. He' is an experienced agriculturist and nurseryman and has a little knowledge of quarrying and is an excellent hand with horses and teams. Ho is married and has a young family. Mr James also expects to learn of his father’s arrival this winter from London, it is also hoped he will bo encouraged to remain here. He is an accountant by profession but has many years experience in creamery management and organising. He has always taken an active hand in the development of sports of all kinds anil was for many years a crack shot. A NEW TOURIST ROUTE.

An attem.pt is being made next month to mark out a practical horse track to the foot of the Hooker Glacier which is an easy distance and easily accessible from the Haast Pass Track and the proposed Accommodation house site by way of the Clarke river bed. On clear days it can he distinctly seen from the beaten track and it is believed a horse can hi' taken to within close distance. There is no doubt both this and the Brewster Glacier will attract many tourists when once liy efficient service. TRAPPING SEASON. Rabbit trapping and poisoning has commenced generally throughout Otago and a commencement will he made on the Haast country next month. A miserable ease of “pirating” (using a local term) has come to notice in this district. A resident recently away from home returns to find a number of stray horses, which previously had been grazing on the public roads, locked in one of his paddocks, wihch he had reserved for a. purpose. These horses had been in some days, the paddock being small had been eaten out and by signs the horses had made vain attempts to get their freedom. It is to he regretted tulit there is a person in our midst who would stoop to such a mean action. The locnl meteorological observer also reports interference to the rain gauge during his absence. It has become known that it as common practice of a certain class of the community to add or remove water from the gauge' during a former observers absence.

Mr A. Cowan has been appointed acting harbour master in succession to Mr J. Cuttance. who has retired cn superannuation. Mr J. MacKny. director of the J>un-ediu-Waiihka White Star Motor Service, Pembroke is at present in Christchurch 011 tourist business. ' OKURU, May 29. Tho ketch “Elsie” left Hokitika yesterday with a full cargo for Bruce Bay and Okuru but owing to engine trouble was compelled to put in to Okarito. Air John Ritchie was aboard bound ..for Okuru, there wfis also a number of jersey heifers and a few pigs for Harris Bros.

OKURU, June 1. - METEOR OLO QIC A L. Thirteen inches 14 points of vain were registered at Okuru during -May, a decrease of over three inches, as compared with ttie previous month. There were 16 days with rain against nineteen in April. GENERAL. A party left Okuru yesterday on a fishing expedition to the Open J ; av Islands, five miles out. They were successful in securing a good catch of groper and blue cod. Included in their catch were groper over 701bs. Mrs McPherson, Misses Scott, Agnew’and Cron, and Mr Eggling, senr. are passengers in the return trip of the “Elsies’ There is also a full

[ cargo cf butter, slicep and pigs. ; Mr J. Mcßride who is the owner of .an excellent collection of Maori implements which were found during roading operations between the Haast and Okurn Rivers has forwarded some to Christchurch where they will bo placed on exhibition with view of sale. OKURTJ, June 3. The ketch “Elsie” arrived in port I yesterday and her cargo was discharged the same evening. A fine line of sheep from the Cascade Valley will form the hulk of her return cargo. [ Tho excellent condition of this stock is proof of the land vatu: of tho above mentioned valley, which is the largest vUlloy in South Westland and unite cnpable, with closer settlement, and better communication of accommodating at least two well equipped dairy factories besides an excellent field for flaxmillers and sawmillers. All are within a short distance of Jackson’s Bay by a good formed bridle track and no bridges or engineering difficulties to connect with a good road and also llisses through the Jackson’s Valley, offering still further first-class land suitable for sub-division. A new fady school teacher is expected here next week. Tile ketch “Elsie” leaves port lor Hokitika to-night at 4 p.m. |

AN AMUSING ACCIDENT. The loading of sheep recalls an accident of some years ago at Okuru wharf when a. local sheep farmer enC|\ged in loading sheep for the northern market allowed a few ewes to escape. With the aid of the lad then in his employ the runaways were caught and their lygs tied. ..Upon 10mpletio/n the farmer who being of till excitable, irritablo nature, probably more so at this moment on account of the loss of time through the escaped runaways turned and bending slightly with his hack turned to tire lad, snapped out a sharp order to the hoy, ‘‘On my hack.” The lad whose willingness was in excess of his ability to grasp the meaning of the order made no move. A second order was rapped out with more deliberation. This time the lad began to trump about tlie deep mushy sand at last beginning to realise that, something was expected from him. The second failure to obey the order which was meant to hoist the tied up sheep on to the employer’s hack only enitiged the man mere and in a tone that gave the impression, lie made a hold attempt to sink the instructions well in this tim-o resembling a screech and a spluttering. The lad this time alarmed, dpne as he was told “On my hack” made a Hying leap on to the farmers hack knocking him face downwards into the thick mushy sand. The unfortunate squatter’s eyes, nose and mouth were full of sand and the sight of him was more than pen could describe, splitting, spluttering and cursing. You b fool, have you gone mail? etc., etc. While the sheep still lay awaiting to he carried away.