A GATEWAY TO THE WEST.

Hokitika Guardian, 17 August 1927, Page 1

A GATEWAY TO THE WEST.

POSSIBILITIES OF HAAST PASS.

“MACAXDHKW’S DREAM AND SEDDOVS REALITY.”

(Otago Daily Times)

In the great Southern Alpine chain, five gaps only are available as overland routes between the east and west coasts of the- island. The most northerly of all, the Buller Gorge, is well known to most travellers who have made the trip to the West Coast, and the routo over the Tophouse from the Wnirati. although not so well known, is also popular. Then there are Arthur's Pass, the old coach route from Canterbury, which has now given place to the recently-constructed Otira Tunnel, and the Copeland Pass behind Mount Cook, which is dangerous and anything but easy of access. Curiously enough, the lowest and easiest of them all, the Haast Pass, is the one which, though possessing the greatest possibilities, from a tourist and commercial point of view, is least heard of.

Lying as it does at the lower end of Westland, whence it gives direct access to Lake Wanaka. and thence to Otago and Southland, the Haast Pass, which is only 1716 leer nbo\o sea level offers great possibilities as a trade route. Its opening would mean that Otago could ho brought into direct touch with Vcstland, and thus the necessity of travelling to the West Coast by way of Christchurch and Otira would be eliminated. The building of a road through it. which would assuredly mean that a. railway would follow in time, would result in the opening up of huge tracts of virgin country in West-land, and this road would confer inestimable benefit on the settlers of north-western Otago. The adjacent district is particularly rich in minerals. Deposits ol asbestos, chronic, iron and course gold occui, and it is possible that these and other minerals would prove one of the resources of this part of the country in time to tome. Besides u railway through the Haast Pass would, by its continuation into the north ol Westland, tap a huge virgin lores! of magnificent timber—probably the largest expanse of untouched timber country now remaining in New Zealand For the tourist, this mule would open up a magnificent round trip abounding in scenic variety. Should ho wish to visit a thermal region, there is a miniature Rotorua near the Eox Glacier, of which, probably, not more than 100 people in the Dominion know the existence and the country through which any road or railway from the Haast Pass to Hokitika would pass, is rich in scenic grandeur and natural beauty.

Further, the ethnologist and the curio hunter should find the district in the vicinity of the Pass a prolific field for research. It is n matter of common knowledge that the Haast Pass was known to the early Maoris and constituted one of the routes used by their foray parties and in their finest' for the much-prized West Coast greenstone; and local settlers are continually finding evidences of their having passed that way. ’lt seems a pity that these great natural advantages should he locked up as they are at present. All down the West Const are assets of paramount importance to the Dominion only awaiting development and advertising. A. road or a lailuay through this wondcrlul country would not only give access to a nature-lov-er's paradise, hut would undoubtedly provo of immense economic value. Many years ago, Air James Macaiidrew, when Superintendent ol Otago, visualised tho possibilities of such a route, and advocated it. fhnt gieat statesman. Mr Bit-hard Sodden, also favoured the scheme, and iu speaking of it in 100(5. in the last public speech he made on the West Coast, ho said: “It has been called Alacaiulrew s dream; I am gointt to make it Seddon’s reality.” Unfortunately, the fatal voyage to Australia intervened, and the possibilities of a railway journey from Dunedin to Hokitika by way of 'the llanst Pass seem t«. be as distant as ever.

Still, if one is to belicvo the optimists, and those who have studied the subject troll) every angle. it will come. Indeed, they g<> i'irrh-r. and sav it must come.