COASTAL SCENIC ATTRACTIONS

Hokitika Guardian, 5 December 1928, Page 2

COASTAL SCENIC ATTRACTIONS

MOUNTAINS AND LAKES

Under the auspices of the Otago Expansion League, Mr Erie James, of Makarora, and Mr Eric Miller, of Dunedin, gave brief lectures recently in the Y.M.C.A. rooms, Dunedin, descriptive of scenery in the Lakes district of Otago and South Westland. Mr W. IL Steel, secretary of the League, in introducing the speakers, said the views it was intended to show included some of the beauty spots of the Dominion. In all, about 150 coloured views were thrown on a screen by means of an electric lantern, operated by Mr W. E. Simpson. Mr James briefly described his series of pictures, which included a view of the country looking to the west from the Haast Saddle; the Clark And Burke huts, the Wells Gorge, the Hooker Peak (8644 ft), the Otoko Pass leading to the Ivapringa Valley, Hapuka Creek, the Turnbull river, bordered with first-class dairying land; Lake Wanaka at sunset, bush scenes on the track leading to the Clarke hut, the Fox Glacier, where a new hostel is to be opened this month ; views showing the rough surface of glaciers, a distant view of the Graham Saddlo, Mount Cook from Oknrito, Lake Kanieri, and the new road between Greymouth and Westport. The Hooker Peak is one of the highest unclimbed peaks in New Zealand. Mr S. Turner, of Wellington, will make an attempt next month to reach its summit. At Hapuka Creek water fowl and fish are found in abundance. In several of the rivers whitebait is plentiful, \iens were also shown of the country thioUgfi which will pass the proposed road from Otago to flic West Coast. Attention was called to the bird life, the wild flowers, and the minerals (marble, mica, coal, copper, etc.) of the country. Gold had also been found but not in large quantities. A view was shown df Fran# Josef hostel, where 5000 guests were registered last year. The district also possessed valuable timber, such as red pine forests. Views were also shown to illustrate' the fine scenery on the Greenstone —Hollyford track to Maitin’s Bay. Mr Miller’s views were taken round about Pembroke, and at Glendtiu, Matukituki, Cpttle Flat, and other parts in the same region. This, said Mr Miller, was one of the most accessible mountain districts in New Zealand. At the close of the addresses both speakers were accorded a hearty vote of thanks.