DOWN BULLER RIVER

Hokitika Guardian, 16 August 1930, Page 5

DOWN BULLER RIVER

MURCHISON TO WESTPORT.

(By Telegraph—Press Association).

WESTPORT, August 15

A voyage down the Builer River was yesterday accomplished when a little nine-loot boat pulled into Westport Harbour. The navigator was Syd. Reid, well-known for his heroic record during the earthquake, and he carried with him a friend, Simon Muir, as passenger. Leaving the EightMile Stage at 8.30 a.m., the boat sped merrily along until the grim rapids ol Rochfort Ealls were readied. These extending for some live chains, took some time to negotiate, hut thereafter the course was smoother, though falls and rapids one after another had to be negotiated. However, the desire of getting to the end of the journey could not overcome Syd. Reid’s wish to visit old scenes. There was a halt at tne mouth of Lyell Creek to find the ring to' which the trading boats used to be moored in the days of old. Then there was a halt to pan a prospect in order that the passenger should see how it was done. Gold was there unmistakably in the pan. The . journey was thereafter resumed. It was a nasty and dangerous one over the Blackwater Falls, and the Twelve Mile Stage was reached about 5 p.m. There the voyagers halted for the night, resuming the voyage next morning, and pulling in to the wharf at Westport about 12 noon to-dav. So far as Is known, this trip down the river has never been done before, and ns Mr Reid boated from Murchison to his location at the Eight Mile, he may be set down as the only man who has boated the Builer from Murchison to Westport.