TOUR OF SOUTH ISLAND

Waikato Times, Volume 107, Issue 17976, 22 March 1930, Page 9

TOUR OF SOUTH ISLAND

BEAUTIES OF WESTLAND

HOKITIKA’S FADED GLORY. MR A. W. GREEN’S IMPRESSIONS. Some interesting observations of his recent tour through Westland were made by Mr A. W. Green, oi Hamilton, chatting with a Waikato Times reporter. • Striking features of his tiip were the beauty of the scenery and the rapid reconstruction following the earthquake in some areas. “From Christchurch to Sheffield the farmers were harvesting the last ot the wheat crop,” said Mr Green. “Most of the crops appeared to be light, due to the dry spell during the early period of growth. From Sheffield to Arthur's Pass the country is more broken and one obtains many glimpses of the beautiful, dark blue waters of the Waimakariri River as it winds its way through deep gorges. On arrival at Arthur’s Pass the electric engine is hooked on to the train which takes it through the Otira tunnel. “Emerging from the tunnel the passengers find themselves right in the midst of forest, and the whole of the mountain faces are ablaze with the dowers of the red rata. Throughout the Westland district the red rata can he seen covering the higher portions of the mountain ranges. To anyone who has never visited Westland there is much of interest. The dense forests and heavy timber belts cover a great expanse of country and many timber mills arc passed on the journey usually over 200 in. annually.

Scenes of Neglect.

“Lake Brunner is quite a beauty spot. The Arnold River drains Lake Brunner, and is a favourite fishing ground, The old towns of Westland, which in -the early days were the centres of the coal and gold-mining industries, are now in a stage,of decay. Buildings are uninhabited and dilapidated and only parts of the fences left. The old orchards and gardens are over-run with blackberries and streets and footpaths neglected. This is quite a common sight, for one passe* through many of these old townships while travelling through West-land and the southern portion of the Nelson district. The townships of Rimu and Ross may be mentioned as examples. “To-day few of us realise that Hokitika was at one time the largest town in the Dominoin., with a population of over 40,000,” added Mr Green. “Today the population numbers about 6000. There were over 200 hotels in Hokitika, hut that number is now reduced to about 25. The number in Greymouth is also high, and in the main street of Westport, which is much shorter than Victoria Street in Hamilton, there are 17 hotels. It is unfortunate that some interest was not taken in the development of the land for stock-raising and dairying when gold mining failed. By clearing and stumping muc-h of the land could have been brought into good grass, and this would have kept in check the spread of blackberry. It is a true saying that there are only two blackberry hushes from Greymouth to -the Franz Joseph Glacier, one each side of the road. Recovery from Earthquake. “The scenery on the West Coast road is undoubtedly beautiful, and varies to such an extent that the long motor run from South Westland to Nelson does not in the least become monotonous. Just at present the traveller has an opportunity of seeing some of the finest beeoh forests in this Dominion. Owing to a blockage in the Buller Gorge the cars travelled 72 miles further into the heech forests in order to get to Murchison. The new , railway line connecting Westport and Reefton is being rapidly pushed ahead and large gangs of workmen are engaged on this w-ork. The new buildings in the township of Murchison attract the attention of every traveller, and it is a surprise to note the number -of buildings erected since the earthquake. “The big slip which occurred south of the township can be viewed from the main road, and it is only after -seeing this and the shaken hill slopes along the road from Murchison to Kawatiri that one can realise the serious effects of the earthquake. Many men are engaged on this road, repairing, levelling and widening it. On approaching Nelson the orchards direct first attention. The cultivation of hops and tobacco denote the industries in this locality, and many men find employment cultivating these crops.” Mr Green concluded by referring to ■the hospitality of the people of the districts which he visited. They wore, he said, always pleased to welcome visitors from toe North.