SOUTH WESTLAND

Hokitika Guardian, 22 November 1929, Page 3

SOUTH WESTLAND

impressions op District

ENGINEER

' Seen on his return from a tour of inspection of South Westland, the {District Engineer of ' Public Works ■(Mr T. A. Johnston), stated .that the Whole of too southern highway .was in good running order. The 'bridging of McCullough’s Creek should' be a boon to motorists who use the road, as the creek, especially in flood time, has been a definite obstacle to southern. traffic, many motorists having had thrilling experiences crossing it. The bridging of McDonald’s creek, the last remaining big stream on the highways, is now in hand,, and. it is anticipated that by Christmas arrangements will be possible to put earsifacross the bridge in any emergency, such as floods. The road beyond the Forks to Okarito, stated Mr Johnston, has been very much . inn prov.ed by the Westland County Council, and is now ip fairly good; ordcii. Okarito provides , a good side ti'ip vi'rom Waiho, the . climate being •very agreeable,, and there being nice bathing, in the . lagoon, • , Beyond Waibo the Omoeroa bridge is well under way, and an endeavour is being made to have it open by Christmas. This stream, like McCullough’s, has always been a formidable one after rain. Its completion will not only be advantageous to visitors to the Fox Glacier, but to southern residents generally. A number of unemployed are working on the' extension of the Great South road beyond W’eheka. Additional work will be put in hand in connexion with the widening of the road, and the removal

of sharp corners on the AVaihoAVeheka section of the highway. At ; the Fox Glacier the new. tourist track has been completed by file Public Works Department, and extends from the hut near the end of the former track to the south side of Cone rock, where a. comprehensive view of the whole of the glacier can be obtained, and from which point road access .is provided on to the clear glacier ice. In connexion with this track, a suspension bridge is to be placed over the Fox river. Afaterials for this are practically at the site, and it is undertsood that the erection will be nut in hand almost immediately-

At the Franz Josef Glacier the tracks to the glacier and other points of interest have been improved. Aimer Hut, recently completed after strenuous efforts, on the Aimer Ridge, should be appreciated by all those likely to undertake the trip up to the glacier “neve,’’ or make the crossing via the Graham Saddle to the Hermitage. The hut commands a fine view of the surrounding peaks, and of the Franz Josef. An. interesting feature in connexion with the Franz Josef is the increased activity at the hot springs near the bath house. The spring is now discharging into a series of pools, and visitors are thus enabled to enjoy a hot mineral hath in the heart of the bush in view of the glacier. Previously the hot water had to bo pumped into the bath house by means of a force pump. * AVith the improved access being provided by the Alain Highways Board and the Public AVorks Department it is expected that next season will see a larger number of visitors to the glacier region, as, apart fiom these attractions, the scenery on the southern run from Ross is unsurpassed.