VIA MARUIA

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume LXIII, 17 July 1929, Page 2

VIA MARUIA

NEW COAST ROAD MOTOR SERVICE BEGUN . TRIAL RUN ON MONDAY AN ADVENTUROUS TRIP (By Telegraph—From "The Mail's" Special Representative) \VESTPORT, 16th July. After an adventurous journey overlnncl ttie car service, from Nelson to tlio West Coast was resumed yesterday for I lit! iirsl time since tli< ; big shake, the cars using (lie new route via Mavuiii arid passengers walking a distance of 'three iniies around slips in the Matakilaki Valley from the Nelson car to the Coast car. .Leaving Nelson at 8 o'clock in the morning- the, cars reached Murchison at midday and proceeded up the jNlatakitaki valley to Six Mile creek. This was banked up with flood waters and the passengers crossed in row boats brought from Lake Rotoroa. After lunch at the Public Works camp half a mile on the beginning of the big slips from the terrace were, seen, beneath which the road was buried deep for a mile or so. A path had been cut to the top of the terrace and thence followed a track through the bush for about a mile, until the road was reached at a point on top of the terrace. The road was then followed for another mile or mom with numerous slips down. Finally a point was reached to which the road had been cleared from the Const side, and here passengers and packhovscs with mails and luggage awaited the Coast car. Through a misunderstanding at Westport this car was two hours behind time. BEAUTIFUL SCENERY At 3.13 y.m. the passengers wore en route in the Coast car and a fine scenic drive followed through the bush-clad Upper Matakitaki, right under the famous "Old Man" mountain on which several large slips had occurred. On this side, behind the "Old Man," rose the snowy heights of Mt. .Mantell. Many large slips were, seen on the bills ail the way up the valley, and at some still-abandoned- homesteads domestic animals and poultry stood forlornly about. Mammoth Hotel, however, was in. operation again. The bridges across the Matakitaki at the valley were all in good order, and from the latter a long climb began up the. saddle into the Maruia watershed. As the ascent was made slips on the road became noticeably smaller, but the amount of clearing done appeared inadequate if the route is to be kept permanently open. The summit was reached at five o'clock, and thence came a long run down the Warwick, a tributary of the Maruia, a halt being made for tea at Mr Lester's homestead inunidMaruia at 6 o'clock. The oniy earthquake damage reported in this area was a few chimneys down. It was particularly interesting to learn that the detonations and booming-noises, which had been such a marked feature of the earthquakes at .Murchison and in the Matakitaki, and the neighbouring valleys, had not been heard at any time in the Mid and Upper Maruia. After 10 miles of good going up the valley the Maruia. river was forded in the dark, passengers and baggage being taken across in a wagon with a, three horse team, the wagon then returning to help the car over. There is no great depth of water in the river but the bottom is rough. It is hoped before long to. have a temporary bridge, probably at a point three miles higher up, known as tlie Sluice Box.

TEN MILES OF SNOW Leaving the river the ascent over Rahu saddle was presently begun. Although tho road was at no time above the snow line it was snow covered for ten miles or more, the snow for a long distance being the best part of a, foot in depth. It is stated to have been on the ground for at least a fortnight. With service car. traffic it is feared the road will be much knocked about when the snow thaws, and if the route is to be maintained the feasibility of clearing the snow With a grader should be worth the immediate attention of the .Mam Highways Board. A snowfall of this size is said to be quite exceptional on tile Rahu saddle, but its occurrence points to the strong probability of the projected road across the much higher x,ewis pass from Manna to Canterbury being completely blocked by in the winter. The run down the Inangahua to Reefton which was reached soon after nine o'clock, was without event. On arrival it was learnt that an alarming shake bringing down bottles in the hotel bar. had occurred about an hour earlier, This 'had not been noticed in the car, but it was recalled that about the time it took place trees by the roadside were seen waving as if a strong wind was blowing, but no wind was felt and the vegetation was motionless for the rest of the way. A thick fog delayed the run from Reefton to Westport. Earthquake dainj age on the road was again noticeable in : the Buller Gorge, but only a few stonef J were brought down by last night's shake and the road was well cleared around all slips. ARRIVAL AT MIDNIGHT Westport owing to the various delay a on this trial run was not reached until midnight, but the time of arrival is expected henceforth to bo about 9 p.m. and will be reduced as the gap to be walked in the Malnkitaki Valley is re-' duced and the facilities at Marnia ford improved. Fifty men are now working on the Matakilaki slips and the number is to be increased with a. view to the completion of a new section of road in the terrace above the .slips within two months. ONLY 21 MILES LONGER The new route is only twenty-one miles longer from Nelson to Reefton and points to the youth and lias, if anything, liner scenery, particularly at present, with snow clad peaks towering above the hush lino. Jt also has an added attraction in passing close to the Maruia hot springs, the valuable curative properties of which for rheumatism, etc., have long been esteemed hv miners on the Coast. The distance to Westport, however. is over fifty miles longer than the old route.