MOTORING IN WESTLAND

Hokitika Guardian, 13 December 1930, Page 6

MOTORING IN WESTLAND

BEAUTIES OF THIS GLACIERS. (Christchurch Times). With the holidays approaching, many touring motorists will be planning their holiday jaunts, and the Westland trip offers the attractions of good roads, splendid scenery, delightful air, and good company everywhere. A recent visit into South Westland confirms the reports as to the excellence of the main highway to the 'glaciers. All streams of importance are now bridged, and those in haste can make quick trips. On Sunday the return trip from Weheka to Hokitika was done under four hours, which is smart going for the 120 miles. It is, of course, too fast to enjoy the scenery. There are glorious bush vistas to drive through, pleasant lakes to skirt by, and always the snow-capped mountain range as a striking background. If these pleasant features are to be enjoyed, travellers do not wish to put up records, and find it pleasanter to move more leisurely or linger by the way. ' - , CAMPING PLACES. ' ; There are many pleasank/camping places along the route beside clear running waters, and much shelter may be bad ..under cover ’bf\tho bush. The nu;mber of touring ears has greatly increased of late, and this season should be a. record. Camping parties are being arranged locally, including a number of women who propose to tour the south leisurely in a large bus, camping by'the way. • •' •• ; The Tourist Department has , lately' added to the attractions of the Glacier ■regions by providing tracks to scenicpoints. These traverse the bush country and mount hillocks, whence a wide spreading panoramic view of the bushclad valleys is available. A leisurely stroll along the tracks to the vantage points well repays the effort. Waiho Gorge and Weheka. are the main centres of attraction in the south, being adjacent to the glacier fields. Good, accommodation is provided in hostels, while capable guides are available to ; take tourists on the ice. GOOD ROADS.

The roads about Hokitika are in good order for the coming tourist season. It. is possible to motor right to the shores of Lake Mahinapua now, via Ruatapu, where one of the largest sawmills in New Zealand is situated. Ruatapu road has been improved greatly of late.

There is a very pleasant bush arrive to Lake Kanieri. with an excellent'road surface. The drive is the more interesting now because of the extensive works being carried out by the Kanieri Electric, Ltd., to develop further hydro-electric power. A power station is to be erected at M’Kay’s Creek, where thcf site is being-prepared. The road to the lake side is being improved at various points. Several corners are being widened, while grades are being improved generally. This road is a popular drive with ' townsfolk and others,, fhe lakeside always affording a pleasant prospect. The new road to Dorothy'Falls is hastening slowly, unemployed labour being utilised from time to time. Better progress is being made of late, and in a month’s time it will be possible to motor within easy walking distance of the pleas-alntlv-situated falls. Meantime the motor trip across the lake is the delight it always was. and many prefer tfie change from the motor-car to the motor-boat for the last stage of a very pleasurable outing. THE HOKITIKA GORGE. The district settlement roads,* particularly the Kokatahi and Koiterangi roads leading to the Hokitika Gorge, are well maintained, and a very popular run of twenty miles from Hokitika to the Gorge is frequently enjoyed by touring motorists. This road affords visitors some idba'of the farming'capahilities of the district, and to. many it is a revelation, as there is a fine settlement district to be traversed by the roads. There is a good camping ground for visiting motorists at the Hokitika racecourse, where conveniences are available, and water and, gas laid oh for culinary purposes. Round about Hokitika there are pleasant motor trips, and most visitors make it a point of seeking a permit to inspect the R.iniu dredge at South Hokitika. This dredge has been operating now for fully eight years, giving splendid returns, averaging about a thousand pounds per week. Just at- present some fifty men are employed on the claim building a new and larger hull for the dredging machinery. It is hoped to launch the hull in the new year, when the present dredge will he brought alongside and the machinery transferred to the'hewMoeatitfn'.''" '