THE RETURN FROM THE OTIRA.

Press, Volume LXIV, Issue 13109, 7 May 1908, Page 7

THE RETURN FROM THE OTIRA.

NOTES BY THE WAY.

The astonishing moods of the-wea-ther vera never more obviously illustraded than by the contrast between lie inclemency of Tuesday and the spring-like mildness of Wednesday at OtiraT On the .<ay of the celebration, when thoieands of morUl ßj on the West Coast desired a Sine day, the heavens opened and torrential rams descended. Yesterday, When few cared whether it poured or not, there was a delightfully clear dawn, and » few fleecy clouds were boing chased from the sky. The party at Otira entertained" some fears on Tuesday night that through commuaiication might not bo established next day, but a» reassuring message was received, to the- effect that all rivers were fordable. The coach loft Otira about 10 a.m.. aimong the passengers being Mr J. O'Hnlloran (who was the only reprcse.nta.tiT© of Chrdstchuroh at the tunnel ceremony) and the Christchurch newspaper reporters, wftio had fortunately gono through from the Bealey to the Otira on Monday night in company with tho contractors. The journey was an umn-entful one, though far from being uninteresting. The Otira river had -fallen as rapidly as it had risen, though lib was still considerably above normal. Travelling up tho magnificent gorge the effect of tho short but heavy rainfall was seen to the best advantage, and from a scenic point of view no one would care to quarrel with it. Miniature cataracts and waterfalls, in countless numbers, were splashing down the mountain sides, or gleaming liko streams of molten silver through the green foliage covering the bilk on the far side or' the gorge. The hUrtaps were clad in robes of white, the snow hiding the unlovely granite which crowns them. Tho road, which follow*.a winding and precipitous route, at one©, the delight and the fear of tourists, had not been harmed by the deluge, though in places there was evidence itJiat. small slips and falls of rock had taken place. During the journey, up the gorge attention was drawn to the fact that a commencement 'had been made with the work connected with the complete renewal of the two bridges. that span the turbulent Otira. The concrete abutments for the higher bridge have been completed, and the work of transporting the ironibark timber, of which the now structures are to be buiJt is to be put in (hand shortly. The upper bridge is to be an entirely new structure, and wall cross the river a littlo higher up than the present bridge , - This will make the approach, from, /the eastern side much easier than, the approach to the existing structure, which involves * a almost at angles. The existing "bridges, which have had to be continually patched, are' built of ground birch, which was got from Aickon'e, between Otira and Jackson's. An excellent view of the RoHeston glacier was obtained when the coach was threading its way out of the gorge. The huge mass of ice, scrntflllating in the light, amd showing a rich, colouring of white and light blue, could hardly have been eoem to. better advantage. Lako Misery, so called, the driver stated, from the cheerless surroundings, had been passed, aJid the boundary between the Canterbury ami Westland provincial districts was ndt far off when the driver, without any warning or explanation, asked Mr O'Halloran, who was sitting next him, to tafco tho reiins. Wai&out hesitation Mir O'Halloran took tiho ribbons asnd the whip, and in a few minutes the driver (Joe Searle) he resumed the reinsi, that Mr O'BkJJoran had driven the party from the West to the East Coast. The impromptu driver enjoyed, the little pleasantry immensely.The drive along the side of the.. Bealey' stream was extremely picturesque, each turn revealing new amd enfeancingry beautiful scenes. Attention was, however, finally centred on. the "Waimaikariri, the variable river had placed sueb an effective veto on the advance of the Canterbury party the day previously. Though ffie river tad fallen consideralHy, there was still a deep amd broad stream sweeping. powerfully along, and one could readily- imagine that a coach, amd team guided by an inexperienced driver could easily be ewent away. The driver was signalled to the best crossing place, and the fording began. The water swished up to tihe floor of tho coach, splasning and foaming a* its contact with the horses amd the vehicle. The coach swayed •wfth ttho (pressuxe of ' tho water, and staggered 'as *&© w&eefe ground on ihe Imacborous. rirangto bottom. The team, however, kop* tiheir needs in <iha col Lax, and fairly climbed out of the stream, at tie pSace where the track showed a©am, though, the flood had swept away the graded approach. A few miniates afterwards-, the party were exchanging welcomes witli the Canterbury party who' had been weatherbound: at the Bealey. ~ Mr CHaHoram, was tiho faero of tJie houTj and -h© received n. .regular ovatdon from, the gathering in recognition, of ihae reQ'iiesenita.tion of Canterbury at the ceremony. The applause was renewed later when ibe entered tto dunrug-room, where everyone ihad assembled for refreshments before cantimriiig their rctipootdv© joumoye to* Otira ox Broken River. After lumcheon, when iha paseenseire were massed in fron-t o>f the hotel awaiting tho arrival of the coaches, dt was insisted th'ifc Sir O'HiaJloran 'should give an account of his stewardship, and from tie ominence of ian inverted barrel iho delivered a short address which was at onoe congratulatery and sympathetic. H-β assured his audience tnat the occasion had been properly celebrated' at Otira, but that everyone regretted tho absence of so many of their Canterbury friends through the untoward rising of the Waixnaxariri. Th© chairman of the Railways Committee (Mr Quane) proposed a hearty vote of thanks to Mr O'Hallocan for his able representation of Cajrfcerbury. He was a man who had taken a keen interest in th© work of the'committee, and they felt that he was one who cculd worthily represent it on any occasion. The motion, wae carried with renewed cheering and the chorus "For Ho's a Jolly Good Fellow" was sung with flattering heartiness. Before the parties separated cheers were given for Mr Quane, whose undimimshed cheerfulness and enthusiasm in the face of a keen disappointment, had communicated itself to the others, and 6o lessoned the sting of disappointment for all. Amongst those who decided to go on from Bealey yesterday to Otira were Messrs W. Recce. G. T. Booth, D. Buddo, M.P., A. G. Howland, J. G Moore, -W. Congrove, E. C- Ash-' by and J. McMillan. His Lordship Bishop Grimes and Mr J. O'Halloran remained at the Bealev and return to the Plains to-day, Bisnop Grimes having an engagement at Springfield. The following returned from th© Bealey:— The Hon. C. ijovissoD. tho Hon. J. -Ba'jrr, tb© Hon. Sir William. Steward.. Meeers-H. Quane, A. K&yc, T. -H,Lanoe, James Jamieson,'G:"V.* > and It, Foster. Tho drivo to £"oken' ' River was safely accomplishoo, and the remainder of the journey to Christchurch was done in the comfort of an express train, arriving in tho city at 8 p.m. -Mr John- O'Halloran secured three pie«« of rook from" th» brought down as the result of tho b aefr dey: These wore eiveo to him by Mr a

T. W. Bruce (Westland County Chairman and Mayor of Ross), who, with commendable foresight, possessed himself of these mementoes of the occasion. 'Shortly after his arrival at the Bealey, and during the impromptu ceremony there, Mr O'Halloran formally presented Mr H. Quane with ono of tho pieces of rock. Previously Mr O'Halloran presented another piece to one of tho representatives of "The Press," for inchieibn in the museum that it is hoped will be established once the Press Company cross over to their new premises. The other piece Mr O'Halloran retains. In order to satisfy the curiosity of would-bo mining company promoters, it should be stated that the rock contains no indication of the presence of the precious metal. The following telegram was received by Mr J. O'Halloran at Otira from Mr G. P. Williams, at the. Boaley:—"On account of the inclemency of the weather it has been definitely arranged that the tunnel celebrations take place at O'Malley'e Hotel here. Cordial invitations are extended "West Coasters to come if they can."