WITH TENT AND MOTOR.

Auckland Star, Volume LXI, Issue 35, 11 February 1930, Page 19

WITH TENT AND MOTOR.

(All Eights Reserved.)

BY-PATHS IN WESTLAND. TTNTJSTJ.AX JOUKIiEYS TO LAKES AND BUSH. J (By TETP.) The- interest attaching to the West Coast this summer, because of the earthquake aftermath has led to inquiries about places off the beaten track. While most motorists probably wish to traverse only the main roads- there, and make through Murchison and down; to Franz Josef, there are some with more-time on their hands who are anxioiis to catch the West Coast atmosphere mare fully bv getting off the main roads, and into the heart of the magnificent bush which everywhere abounds along the side roads. There are a great many lakes throughout, the .West Coast area, and strangely enough they differ considerably from one another so tiiat a diversity of lake scenerv can be seen by those"who have time to spare to visit several of them. The motor camper with but a short holiday cannot visit all the places mentioned in this article, and will be -better off, and see more in a short time, by keeping to main roads. These journeys are intended solely for those to whom time is a lesser consideration. . .To Coast, via Tophouse. Most motorists are under the impression that the-only way down the West Coast is out through Nelson and down to Murchison, but'this is not so. There is an alternative road running out from Blenheim', .via Tophotfse, and meeting the main Nelson-Murchison road at j tin, oUlv 24 mrleVout -of Murchison. The construction work on this road has no yet been completely finished _ so that there is still some rough going in places, but the scenery is very fine indeed, and iater it is certain. to_ rank Jin fa the Sain road. It is; about 90 miles from -Blenhemr to Eawatin,' so that- tor those , who do not wish to make ou through Nelson, a very considerable distance is saved. ; . , There are some- magnificent views to b obtained on this route, and yon travel through some majestic bush. Tophouse is 62 miles from Blenheim, and from there von can make back to kelson vou wish, or you can- go in a few miLs from the main road, and come to Lake Eotoiti whei<*' there is good accommodation! and plenty ot excellent camping ijl xce« Deer shooting expeditions often j start awav *vr **re. from Tcphouse on towards Kawatiri the road follows the J

| Buller Elver downwards from its source, and, of course, is very beautiful. In future years a route that will certainly be highly popular with motor campers Avill be from Blenheim to Kawatiri on this road, and then down through Lyell, as by this means they will see as much as they possibly can of the Buller Elver,- than which there is no more beautiful river in New Zealand. Another Lake and Hot Springs. From Kawatiri access can be gained to another very beautiful lake, Eotoroa, a spot which also offers ranch to the camper. To get there you go down a few tniles on the main road to Murchison and then turn in to the left. There- is a metalled road right to the lake. In a previous article giving particulars of the present main route through Manila, reference was made to the Maruia hot springs, some nine miles off the main road. To get In to these you turn off at Springs .junction. The bathhouses are in a fairiv dilapidated condition, but there is good fishing in streams in the vicinity, and many a good place for a secluded camp. Greymouth and Lake Brunner. i Several interesting runs caji_be..uiade cut from Greymouth through both oil and coal-bearing country, and any guide book will give you details of* several round trips you can do here, to see? more of the country. One very line rim of about 20 miles is out to Moana, a.quiet and Weautiful spot very much favoured by both fishermen and deer stalkers. As with all the West Coast beauty spots', there are plenty of good places for campers. Lake Brunner is one of the biggest of Westland's lakes, and can be reached on a fairly good road, through Kuaiara, on the way south to Hokitika. Travelling out from Kumara, itself but a relic, of bygone gold-digging days, you pass through the old gold-bearing country; and-everywhere, see evidence of the feverish activity that characterised this country .40 . years, ago. On most of these West Coa£t side roads there are small streams or water-races unbridged. and Tfc is necessary to keep a lockout for them. - — Suns From Hokitika. Of all the West Coast towns, Hoki- • tika. js. within: easiest, reach : of divers* rivers, lakes and gorges which present an- irresistible appeal , to- the motor camper with ample time on his hands. ■ Two lakes in particular, Kanieri and Mahinapua, should be seen by every lover of natural beauty. They are entirelv dissimilar, but each in its own way" is a perfect gem. Mahinapua is 1.5 miles out of HoMtika,- and to get to it you go out across the Hokitika Elver, through Ernra and Woodstock to the big sawmill at Buatapu, walking a short distance from there to the lake. Above I all things, hire a boat, for one of j Mahinapua's most interesting features I is that it reflect® with crystal clearness.

Photographs taken of people in boats ran sometimes in; turned (inside and still show as clearly as they do the right way round. Set-do.wn .beiow n»u in a hollow, it contrasts greatly with Kanieri, which spreads out before you towards the mountains. Kanieri is only twelve miles out from Hokitika, and as it has good beaches by the .water's edge, it is deservedly popular with the Hokitika people as a summer resort., You can have a wonderful camp there, and the outlook is simply magnificent. Another place of beauty, from which exceptionally fine .views of -the Hokitika. Valley are obtained, is the Hokitika . Gorge. ,to get to - which you go out through Kokatahi and Koteiangi. ....,. Other West Coast By-roads. I should have r mentioned eiirlier in the article, perhaps,■ the road running froiu Inangahua Junction to Wcwtport, along which is some of the-grandest of the Butter Gorge scenery. KVeu where only a short time is • being spent, on the Coast, this section- should certainly be seen:* '

On the way down to Franz Josef from Hokitika, there are here auu . . a number of by-roads running into small settlements, which are worth exploring. Most of the streams are troutladen. and some excellent fishing is obtained in these out of the way corners. The road south of Waiho, to th«- F'"t Glacier has been, and is being, greatly improved,, anil with good weatner uo difficulty should be experienced in getting through there. It is advisable, of course, to make sure at Waiho. There are many other by-roads on the West Coast that offer onio-*— " IV ~ to campers to. see both coastal and bush scenery, but those ji'ven above ■■ < i think, the most interesting, and anyone

who covers all that ground mar say truly that they have been in the heart of Westland, and seen its most beautiful corners.

of course, behaviour, is to that extent an easy way of determining, character. Tlie man who sneaks by you, giving you only an inch or two margin, and making von put your car in the ditch, or the man who comes upon you suddenly, tooting his horn so loudly that he frightens your women and children out of their wits, not only is a 'road hog.' but obviously is not a gentleman." Essentials for Good Driving. A number of safety experts, traffic engineers, racing drivers, traffic officers and ordinary drivers were interviewed, says the same journal. •in order to try to determine the standards by which a driver could measure his own compe-