MT HECTOR TRACK.

Otaki Mail, Volume 26, 23 April 1919, Page 3

MT HECTOR TRACK.

SUGGESTED ROUTE UP RAY'S SPUR. Mr Arthur Seed (manager of the Maymorn Co.'s property), who is taking a keen interest in the operations of the Mount Hector Track Committee, organised a r party. to make a trip up what is known, as Ray's ridge, with the object of comparing this with the old track up Judd's ridge. Owing to various unfortunate circumstances, Messrs W. H. Field, M.P., W. R. Russling and A Knox were unable to make tho trip, as intended.

Mr Seed kindly motored Major Ad- ; dington and Mr Frank Ponn up the ■Gorge on Sunday evening. They spent the night at what is commonly known as Ray's whare, about a couple of miles beyond the Otaki Forks, and at about 5.30 a.m. on Easter Monday they set off on their expedition. The party comprised Major Addington,- Messrs Seed, Penn, Hobbs and Hamilton, the two latter being employees of the Maymorn Co., who' reside in the locality. After the first steep pinch up the clearing, starting almost opposite the suspension bridge, the going proved to be very easy, there being a very fair track through tho bush for somo distance. Some considerable time was lost—at least au hour—through striking a blind spur, which was somewhat baffling, and a little later on there was scarcely any, perceptible track, and the men with the slashers were kept busy clearing a. track and blazing trees freely. This, of course, made progress very slow. At 3 p.m. the party had not quite reached the edge of the bush. As the mist was very thick at that time, and no view would havo been obtained, the party decided to turn back, in order to g£t home before dark. Tho homeward trip was accomplished, right to the whare, in three hours, including several brief stoppages.

- The going was very easy the whole way, the* grade being good, and it would be a simple matter to form a good track the whole distance traversed by the/party. It was unfortunate that, the weather was not better, so that the party might have gone right through to the top, as intended, and returned via Judd's ridge. Tthis would- have enabled them to make a comparison of the two routes. Tho track via Ray's ridge leads right on to Mount Dennan, and it is thought by. Mr Seed and others that this route would be preferable, avoid tho bad going between Tabic Top and Dennan, which will probably, prove a difficult piece to keep clear. If the proposed hut were creeled at the top of Ray's ridge, it would be nearer tho spot proposed by the Wairarapa'Committee.

Tho party, .though not successful in accomplishing all they set forth to do, were delighted with their day's outing. The track lies through magnificent bush, with many superb ferns, glorious mosses, etc., in every-direction, and is a delightful walk. Only a very few pigeons were seen, but tuis were fairly numerous. There were abundant evidences of the presence of wild pigs, and the dogs bailed tip one, which was promptly despatched by Mr Hobbs, who is an adept at pig-hunting. Mr Seed, on behalf of his company, has offered to construct a good brMe track along the ridge to their boundary line, which means a distance of about two miles, or about half the entire bush track. This is a big consideration, and an offer that should not' be lost.

Major Aldington-and Mr Penn were motored back to Otaki yesterday afternoon by Mr Seed. They desire to express their thanks to Mr Seed and the Waiotaurn settlers for their hospitality.