SOUTH WESTLAND NOTES

Hokitika Guardian, 16 January 1932, Page 5

SOUTH WESTLAND NOTES

TOURIST HUTT CONSTRUCTION. WEHETCA, January 14., The recent completion of the Blue River tourist hut has filled a. long felt want and the very fine finish gives credit to the - builders whilst the praise is also due to the Westland Tourist Society for the part they played in this achievement. • Some criticism is, however, forthcoming as regards the.site. Many were hoping, a-.suitable epotn-vsfiaJd have 'been selected near Lake Paringa where the hut was originally intended to be erected, thereby providing : a camp for anglers visiting the splendid fishing waters of the Paringa. £3 Dr. Wyu Irwin (Christchurch) 33s climbing in the glacier district. Complaints are made of certajn neglected sections of the Haast Pass Track and of horses becoming bogged where a little attention would make travelling safe. MINING-. There is a decided revival in prospecting in the South. A number, of men are making for the Paringa Valley whilst, parties are working on Hunt’s Beach, Bruce Bay and Bullock Creek. A party under the leadership of a South African geologist have commenced operations on the latter field. From a reliable source it is learned the prospects from boring operations at Gillespie’s Bench are even more promising than Okarito (Three Mile) and 'that all shares have been taken up.

TOURIST TRAFFIC. Tramping and riding parties continue to reach the Glacier District from Otago via Haast Pass but a lesser number are attempting the Copland trip than the previous year. A party who reached the Fox Hostel to-day included Mrs Harrison (Kamloops, Canada; Miss Walker, Dunedin ; and Mr Lee, Napier. Prior to leaving Otago, Mr Lee, in company with Guide., Eric James, made an extended alpine exploration of the Southern Alps south east of Haast Pass in search of a practical alpine pass to Okuru but the search revealed nothing of .a practical value. Mr Lee now proceeds to Hermitage via Copland Pass,