WESTLAND MOTORING NOTES

Hokitika Guardian, 20 December 1930, Page 6

WESTLAND MOTORING NOTES

« ‘'/ip! *■ (Motor Journal). With the holiday season approaching, motorists in all parts will bo planning their tours to various jarts. of New Zealand. Tile Westland district is sure to engage the attention of many touring parties. Lately the touring manager of the Auckland Automobile Association in the course of his trip through the South Island took in the West Coast.

The report describes the South Island West Coast route as a veritable fairyland, with its bush ocean, coastal, river and mountain scenery. This could lie- enjoyed from the car while driving, and* long stops or walking trips were unnecessary, except of course, at the Glaciers, where lAJ UTists would naturally wish to experience the thrill of walking on the ice.

The roads of Westland are in capital order generally. Although not boasting bitumen o-r concrete, the gravel material available produces good macadamised roads with excellent surfaces. The use of broken metal is practically 'discontinued on the Coast now. Crushed limestone is used 1n some instances, and this as soon as disintregated by the weather, makes a fine surface and is not slippery. Light beach gravel is used largely for the roads when available, but failing that, fine gravel from suitable pits is available in plenty for surfacing the roads. During the year now drawing to a close, much has been done in .bridge building, particularly on the main south road on the route to the Glaciers. Several fine bridges have been erected with the result that all major crossing are now dealt with, and only a. few dips or small streams call for attention —and these are all earmarked for attention as the Public Works bridge staff ,is available. The bridging of the rivers is certainly a boon to motorists, and fast time is possible by those who need to make a quick trip Recently in the case of an accident, a, patient was brought from. Weheka to Hokitika hospital in a fraction over four hours. This was a trip which took as many days when the settlers had to rely on their horses.

But the touring motorist will not desire to make or break records. The scenery by the way is too enchanting to speed through with the eyes solely on the centre of the road. Rich in hush, lake and mountain scenery, South Westland has attractions which arc difficult to excel, while with the Glaciers set in verdure clad valleys, there is unique scenery beyond rivalry.

The touring motorist can reply on good accommodation in Westland. In Hokitika there is the choice of hostelries and on the way south, good and clean wayside inns, where comfortable accommodation may ibe had. 1 At Waiho and Weheka where visitors are disposed to stay "over several days, there are well-appointed quarters, a licensed house at tlie' ! former and a private hostel at the latter, both catering for’the tastes' of' all.

Westland is well endowed with scenic gems, and the business people cater well for visitors. No dess -enterprising are the motor proprietors and repair shops. Several are fully equipped, and fine motor services are available to all parts of the district aqd beyond. Tire good roads have created traffic which must he catered for from every point of view, and the enterprise is shown by the local- people who provide for every possible requirement on the part of the'visiting motorist or tourist, on holiday and sight-seeing bent.

Westland certainly eatery wefi for the holiday-maker, and, the usual stream of motorists to the Coast, both direct from Canterbury via Otira Gorge, and from the north via Nelson and' Blenheim, may lie expected this season, and will be given a hearty West Coast Welcome.