THE GLORY OF NEW ZEALAND

Hokitika Guardian, 1 March 1927, Page 1

THE GLORY OF NEW ZEALAND

WEST COAST FOREST AND GLACIERS. In a recent interview, Mr J. L. Wheeler, Jnr., Manager of tliePaciiie Tours Ltd, who has just conducted a party of American tourists through New Zealand, said that lie considered New Zealanders did not appreciate that they had one of flic finest things in the I world in the hush oil the West Coast. The party had gone down to the Fox Glacier. The outstanding feature in New Zealand was the West Coast forest with its fascinating glaciers and mountains. This feature was unique. | —Christchurch Press. THE ICE-FIELDS OF WESTLAND. THE LURE OF THE WEST COAST. Glaciers—slowly moving rivers of leo —are to he found in Westland, where they are the most accessible glaciers in the world. They are situated at tile end of a . beautiful road, set among wooded hills, garbed in greenery, and a.s striking a sight as it is unusual.How to roach the glaciers, the traveller "ill ask? Take the motor ear service from Hokitika, the capital town of the oldtime Province of Westland—and the scene of the early stirring days of the ’sixties, when the gold rush to the Const was in full flush. Hokitika is a place of great interest, settled by the sea, while round about on throe sides rise as a great ampitheatre, the snowclad Southern Alps, with “ Aornngi,” the noblest mountain of New Zealand. “ piercing the clouds ” in the distant south. On the fourth side of Hokitika ranges the Tasman Sea in all its varied moods, where rightly it is the resting place of the soiling sun. which affords remarkable spectacles in glorious sunsets reflected in the ever-changing clouds and on the snow-capped mountains which are tipped with the golden rays of the parting day. About Hokitika are many points of interest for sight seeing, hut the average traveller is anxious to proceed south to enjoy the rare and radiant beauty of the

finest motor drive in the world. From Hokitika to the Franz Josef Glacier at the Wailup Gorge is a road journey oT about OS miles, while beyond to tlic Fox Glacier, a further journey of 18 miles, is the final stage available for

o motorist. Leaving Hokitika, the first four or •e miles of the journey passes through e old mining townships of Kanieri.

I Woodstock, and Rimu, busy centres in the rush days, when much wealth was won by the miners. Then on to Boss, 20 miles away, the scene of one of the earliest Coast gold rushes in ISGS. Well surfaced roads carry the traveller onward, and soon after leaving Ross, and crossing the Mikonui river, the road winds through Ferngrove, a beautiful section of bush country with lofty white pine trees as road sentinels, and ferns in all variety filling in by the way. Then to the Woitaha river bridge, whence a view of some of the magnificent forest lands of Westland is available. Speeding on through pleasant hush drives and descending a winding road, a glimpse is caught of Lake lantlie, one of the scenic gems of the route. Soon the motor speeds by the lakeside disturbing the wild fowl disporting on the placid waters, and then the road again pierces bush country. A short stage and the .InterWanganui fiat opens out. and crossing the turbulent river, the traveller comes to Harihari, the centre of a thriving pastoral district, where there is usually a stop for refreshments. From Harihari the road proceeds to the coniines of the Inter-Wanganui Flat, marked by the l’oerun river, and after crossing the stream by a substantial bridge, the road winds its way over Mt, Hercules, a remarkably wellgraded highway with a wealth of verdant scenery, in which again the ferns are strikingly beautiful, shrouding the gullies and giving the hills a distinctive beauty. With Aft. Hercules negotiated, the Wataroa Flat discloses itself, and here again pastoral pursuits flourish. This flat is dominated by two largo rivers—the Wataroa and the Waitangi—and has the township of Matainui for its centre. After Tearing this settlement behind the road again cuts through tall timber and pleasant forest-elad country, finally skirting Lake AVahapo. whose dark waters reflect the standing forest with the fidelity of a mirror. The traveller .is almost immediately at Okarito Forks, the scene of early mining, but the road progresses inland still through

lonely hush scenery, till the eye is aitracted and interest retained in the special splendour of Lake Alapourika. one of the largest and probably the most arresting of AVestland’s many beautiful lakes. The traveller is now almost in sight of the Franz Josef, ana soon a glimpse is obtainable of the river of ire, glistening in high hills aim bright sunshine, a strange river indeed—a river of ice wedged in between verdure-clad hills. Then the ear stops at the AYniho Gorge hostelry and the journey is so far completed, and the traveller may he left to the guides and good accommodation at the hotel to enjoy all the wonderful features of the immediate neighborhood. Beyond Fran:: Josef is Fox Glacier now easily reached by motor iu an hour .—thanks to the newly erected suspension bridge over the AYniho liver. To reach Cooks river Flat where the Fox Glacier is centred, the main south road traverses two low saddles, which constitute what has been described the finest forest view in the world. The road is heavily wooded on all sides, and from the elevated portions of the roadway, far-stretching vistas of forest growth arc to ho seen stretching hack to high mountains, the snow-capped lioaks of which striking Ihe skyline, forma remarkable hack ground. .Along this winding road there is llu necessity to hurry—it is too beautiful for indecent liaste. The traveller will wish to linger by the way. till he comes eventually to the Flat where the Fox Glacier is to he found, and above and behind towers the greatest of all our mountains —Mount Cook, the pride and glory of the Southern Alps. —D. J. EVANS.