MAKAROA NOTES

Hokitika Guardian, 31 December 1927, Page 3

MAKAROA NOTES

(From a Correspondent) MAKAROA, Dec. 19. Mr Furkert Jim., with a companion, passed through on a tramp over Haast Pass and throughout the length of Westland. Houses will meet them on a portion of their tour on account of the larger rivers. They tramped from Dunedin. Misses lientlmni and Stringer are vistors during the holidays. Dec. 22. Air Barwell is making an unusual tour through Westland from Pembroke by bievcle and collapsible canvas boat. When on land the bicycle carries the boat in sections and when travelling on water the boat carries both man and cycle. Mr Barwell commenced bis trip bv a quick row up Lake A\ an aka arriving at Alakaroa Wharf at 2.30 p.in. on the 19th. inst. The following day be treked up the Valley and over the Haast Pass, camping at Alule A alley. He carries all food and cooking utensils. On the 22nd. lie reached the Burke Hut and constructed his boat for a 32-mile row down the Haast River to its mouth, from whefe he continues his tour up the Coast on foot, except where the l>oat is used to cross several rivers to he met. If successful this will be the first occasion a bicycle lias been taken o'er this long track, though previous attempts have been made. It will also be the first occasion a boat lias followed down the swift waters of this large river.

A AI mister and bis daughter made an attempt a few years ago to cross with bicycles hut had to abandon their mat-nines, which had later to be dismantled and packed on horseback. A sc: ontl attempt was made by an adventurous young spirit four years ago from AVaiho t > Wanaka (170 miles), but the first river bad to lie swum and the bicycle bad to be left on the other side only to he washed miles down the river lied by the fast rising river. Local anglers are taking keen interest in the sport this season, and some good catches have been reported, including manv rainbow over 7 to 81bs. A few salmon have also been caught. Some trawling was done last week with crood results. Dec. 26. A party cf five Dunedin men, with a guide, ieft this morning for a 17-days riding tour to the AVost Coast and down Die wild, rugged and unknown Coast to Afartin’s Bay, in Otago. From this point they will continue inland up the shores of Lake McKerron and the Hollyford Valley to Lake A\ akatipu. Glenorcliy, Queenstown and Pembroke. This is the pioneer tourist party to j make this interesting trip. Provisions have been shipped by the Government boat to Afartin’s Bay and other provisions have been landed at Okuru. For three days the party will travel though unoccupied country, visited | once or twice in seyeral ye&rs, i ' ‘

A party of eight, including two mountaineers will arrive next week for an exploration trip up the "Wilkin River. There are ladies in this party. An attempt to climb Mounts Castor and Pollux will he made. The tour has been arranged to include the Haast Valley. Another party are making a tour through to the Franz Josef Glacier. Several Wellington anglers are proceeding to fish at Makaron.