AFTER 30 YEARS

Hokitika Guardian, 15 April 1932, Page 8

AFTER 30 YEARS

VISIT TO THE WEST COAST.

THE OLD-COACH TOURNEY

CHRISTCHURCH. April M

(flip marked contrast between conditions on the West Coast thirty years ago and conditions there to-day was the most vivid impression gained by Mr F. W. Payne, an English mining engineer, who has returned from tue Coast to Christchurch after a short vist. .Mr Payne was in business* in Otago thirty-years ago,rand tins is the first time he has visited New Zealand since then. In an interview yesterday Air Payne outlined a few of the cliangesj-heAioticed on his trip to Greymouth and district.

•‘lmpressions of years ago are largely taken up with the journey to the Coast—the toilsome climb behind straining horses, with sometimes the wallc up the stiff hill, welcome alike to passengers and horses,” he said.

“I remember the summit of Porter’s Pass, the snow drifts and the digging of a passage for the coach. There was the welcoming fireside at the Healey Hotel, where the night was spent, the start again next morning, the fording of the Waimakanri, the reaching cl the top of the hill above Arthur’s Pass, the mountain lilies, the rata, the waterfalls, and the swift, swirling Rescent down the winding, narrow road where- the wheels seemed just on land and no more, with the precipice sheer below.

A .TUMBLE OK RECOLLECTIONS

•M can recall the horses swinging easily round the sharp bends, tie jingle of the harness and the rattle of the wheels and then the Otira, and On the left the form of Alt. Rollestmi with its capping of snow. In these recollections more than one journey is involved, the impressions being a jumble of several pilgrimage*. “Now all this is gone, and there is a comfortable train and an easy journey of a few hours only, between Christchurch, and Gveymouth. AA hatever may ue said about modern conveu cm es and speed ol travel, there

an be m> doubt that more was got out of a trip to the Coant in Hie old days when the coach, now in the Mu- cum, was actually on the roadAlthough no man can or should wish to put the clock hack, I think even the most progressive must sometimes breathe a, regret for the older time*.

NEAT’ APPEARANCE OK TOWNS

“Ono of the most striking differences tlna appeals to me as between the West Coast of to-day and 30 years ago is the neat appearance of the town on this side of the divide. Hie rather uncommon finishing for the average house. Now Gveymouth and Hokitika are very much on a par with towiig in this side of the divide. Ihe climate is still wet, but with some beautiful interludes. The rather heavy rainfall i* no doubt the price Nature demands in return for what i.s probably the most beautiful native bush in the world.

“One thing that time has not altered is the genuine warm-heartedness of the West Coaster himself. One is also struck by Hie bright, iutelligeutlookii’.g children in the most remote localities, and the young men straight and strong as their own native trees.