FAR SOUTH WESTLAND

Hokitika Guardian, 27 March 1931, Page 6

FAR SOUTH WESTLAND

DISTRICT ENGINEER’S VISIT. ROADINC WORKS. 'llie District Engineer of the Public Works Department, Mr T. A. Johnston, who was accompanied by Mr A. .1. Baker, Inspecting Engineer, of Wellington, and Mr M. Carroll, ot Waiho, Overseer tor the District ot South Westland, returned last evening ■from an inspection of South Westland from the Waiho to Jacksons’ Bay including the Copeland and Haast Valleys. The object of the visit was to ascertain the present condition of all the roads and tracks, both from a settlement and tourist point of view, and also to ascertain the areas available for settlement, and the general extent of areas suitable for milling

purposes. In conversation with an “Argus'* reporter last evening, Mr Johnston stated that at the present time the dis taiice between the terminus of the road at the Weheka Hostel and Makarova in Otago, was NO miles. On the Otago end about two hundred men are employed at present in completing a section of six miles along the upper end of Lake Wanakn, and it is anticipated that this road will be open for traffic during the present year. Insofar as Otago is concerned, stated Mr Johnston, this will provide Jirstclass road access from Cromwell or Cromwell or Pembroke to Makarora via Lakes Mawea and Wanakn. At the Westland end a large number of unemployed, are completing the formation of a deviation extending eight miles southward from Weheka. This deviation involves the bridging of the Fox and Cook Rivers, besides other smaller streams, and when funds can he made available for the erection o>f these bridge, then all-water access will be provided as far as Karangarus which is thirty miles south of Waiho. During last winter when the snow and glacier foci streams were running low, cars, were able to travel as far as Alahitalii, which is fifty miles south of Waiho. From Ivarangarua, a wellformed track leads up the Copeland valley, for sixteen miles to Welcome Kbit where, there is a commodious tourist hut, wit Idiot springs adjacent riie.se springs are of a nice temperature for bathing and are a special feature of this valley. It. is safe to say that as the access improves they will become increasingly popular. About four miles beyond Welcome Elat, a new tourist hut, near tile wellknown Douglas Rock, is at present under construction by . the PublicWorks Departnient. The hut is within live hours’ walk of the Copeland Pass, j winch is 7,000 feet high, and which ■ leads to the Hooker Hut and the alt. ' Cook Hermitage. The scenery up the Copeland I’ass magnificent, says Mr Johnston, anci this route to or from the Hermitage is one of the finest in tile Dominion. Despite th<> recent heavy rains and floods the track from Maintain to the Haast—so miles—and from the Haast to the Makaroa—s7 miles—was found to he in very fair order. Before proceeding over Haast Pass, an inspection aas made ot tire present loading sys-

tern to Okuru, and of the Upper Okuru and Turnbull Settlement Roads. At Hands s homestead on the last-named road, the Post and Telegraph Of- | lice in South Westland is situated. The office, which goes by the name of Huluika, is approximately ld() miles south of Wailio. I 1 roni Okuru a visit was made to the old pon and settlement at Jackson’s Bay. Recently the ferries over the Waiatoto and Arawata rivers on the Jackson’s Bay route were discontinued and as both ol these rivers are difficult to negotiate, the party were much indebted to Air M. Nolan of Okuru, who accompanied them on the Jackson’s Bay trip. At the present time there are no settlers below the Turnbull Road Settlement though certain large areas nrused for cattle giving. The land on the Haast, Okuru and Turnbull rivers appeared to he particularly suitable for dairying and stock raising, but the settlers, owing to lack of access and general isolation, are at a big disadvantage. Apart from the track to Weheka or over the Haast to Alakarora; they are dependent on the occasional visit of small boats to thpir port of Okuru.

Ihe Dist rict Fngineer spoke verv highly of the hospitality extended to the party at the various accommodation houses which are all of an excellent standard. Air Baker and .Mr Johnston returned to Christchurch via Alexandra and Ranfurly, after a brief inspection of ihe irrigation daiiis ami r.ic.'s in North Otago, where over f).(!(!() a."cres arc now being served with water. During the trip, 270 miles "ere covered on horseback, apart l orn a laii’ amount of walking which "as also involved.