THE BEST ROAD TO THE WEST COAST
TO THE EDITOR OF THE LYTTELTON TIMES. Sir,—All the passes to the West Coast have been known to the older Maoris for many years pa3t. Their knowledge of the country does not, however, seem to have been brought into the service of the Government, so as to forward the work of exploring surveyors. There are still alive many of the old men who fled across the mountains after Rauparaha captured old Kaiapoi pah. Fourteen years ago I was informed by the old Maoris of the existence of practicable passes by the Rakaia and Waimakariri, as well as of the more frequented one by the Hurunui and Teremakau. At the time Mr. Whitcombe was crossing by the Rakaia pass, an old Maori was describing it to the Rev. J. Stack, of Kaiapoi. Surely it would be worth while to seek out some of the old Maoris on either coast who know the passes, and attach them to the Government exploring expeditions. Much time would thus be saved in finding first practicable lines of road. Yours, &c., J. W. HAMILTON.
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Bibliographic details
Lyttelton Times, Volume XXIII, Issue 1369, 7 March 1865, Page 5
Word Count
185THE BEST ROAD TO THE WEST COAST Lyttelton Times, Volume XXIII, Issue 1369, 7 March 1865, Page 5
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