PROGRESS LEAGUE’S TRIP

Hokitika Guardian, 27 September 1926, Page 4

PROGRESS LEAGUE’S TRIP

WEST COAST INSPECTION. (Christchurch “Sun” Reporter.) At present making their way up the lusli-ciad coast ot South Westland, ver trails embracing bench, swamp, lid rugged mountain country, are Jiree Government officials and a pliotojrapher. By no stretch of the imagination can they he said to represent 'anterbury and Westland Progress leagues, though they originally formed mils of a party to inspect the South A'estland area to report on roading lossibilities. The Canterbury Progress league and Westland branch organsed the inspection, as a request had men made for a 24-mile road from Diekso’s Bay to Okuru. The party left from Bluff on September 14, by the Tutanekai. The first day at sea the vessel struck desperately rough weather, and nut intc Preservation Inlet. Because of snow hail and rough seas, three days were spent at Preservation to land store: for the Puysegur Lighthouse. 4ln vessel had an excellent trip to Dusk; mid Doubtful Sounds, and arrived a Milford on Saturday evening, anchor i„g in Anita Bay, which is regards as"' good shelter. The vessel wa moored with land ropes, and at 1 o’clock on Saturday night, a fierce gal swept the bay. and both land rope parted. It was the roughest weathe experienced in Anita Bay by Captai Rollons for 30 years. On Monday evening a terrific win again visited the bay, but the vossi was anchored farther out. The weatlu then calmed and the journey was coi tinned. The vessel was four days ov< her schedule time when Jackson’s Ik: was reached. Here the Progre: League party went ashore, and it wi apparent that the pack organisation ; the \\ esthuid end for the convenience < tlic party was inadequate. Only tliri horses had been provided. A four! horse was available through the il ness of a farm hand who had ridden Jackson’s Bay to catch the Tutaneka so that even if time had perrnittc the whole party of eight could m have made the overland trip. So the three Government men ai the photographer made the journe The Overland party will cover 1 miles of rough riding to inspect con try for the 24 miles of road. The Tntanekai will not he able take fhe party from the shore i Okuru, so that even if horses In been -.available for the whole part and time had permitted, the mem.be would have made the tedious jourm to no purpose.