TRAMPING ON THE HILLS

Press, Volume LXVIII, Issue 20731, 16 December 1932, Page 36

TRAMPING ON THE HILLS

TT is just over a year ago that the tramping movement began to gain popularity in Christchurch, with the formation of two or three tramping clubs. Since then tramping has been taken up by hundreds of persons, fifteen or more clubs have been formed and are flourishing, and each week-end many parties of young —and quite a number of not bo young—people set out on healthgiving walks. What is the explanation of this tremendous popularity of tramping, a popularity that has surpassed that of other rentrcs, as is shown by the strength of tho Youth Hostel movement organised by the Sunlight League.? A big factor probably is that in the present hard times trampers have hit upon an ideal method of procuring a maximum of recreation and enjoyment at a minimum of expense. But the main reason is, undoubtedly, the- proximity to the Oity of the magnificent Port Hills and tho higher and more expansive ranges of Banks Peninsula. Banks Peninsula was named by Cook during his circumnavigation of New Zealand in 3769 after Joseph Banks, ifterwards Sir Joseph Banks, Bart., K. 8., the botanist of tho expedition. It is of volcanic origin, and .has been largely constructed out of material thrown from the cratera of two volcanoes which were situated where the harbours of Akaroa and Lyttelton arq now. When first settled by the whites

t\p Pcpippla was heavily wooded, Kfpn to-day remnants of the forest are tq t»e found in. many of t the bays, but Wfftly it went in. the early days of the secernent, tp build the of £he colony, to provide warmth for the BifisrOiß, and to build tho numerous little taifjiag which jn'thpsp days plied ibffwsen the productive Peninsula bays land Lyttelton. Mm P f Aecess. Peninsula may be reached on foot jfoj -way of the Port Hills and Summit 'jrofd, bat thj» entails a preliminary brfjk of J2 miles or more. Tramping pities ff»iiftUy proceed to Lyttelton by ftrfjn anj| cross to Diamond Harbour by tiff regular service launches run by the fpify launches, &tdt ftom M|jnon4 mrtav? to ¥ww ft lesu t h aw h4|f-aa-hpur»d wjtfk, and then a good « I ff l ' °f ifePll i¥B wUes tfttal fhj t lff»per by way of fb# lf»u We nt |« th§ higk gadd)a (fltfgft) above Pfipt fnr- s*F|W»i W»s# flu SwwiiHt tw* to rjfchii, and from thia tmiik mm*

Beauty Spots of Banks Peninsula.

within easy access. Skirting Mouut Fitzgerald (2710 ft) and Mount Sinclair (2762 ft) a descent may be made to the saddle (1300 ft) between Pigeon Bay and Duvauchclle Bay at nte head of Akaroa Harbour. Prom this central point the tramper may proceed to Pigeon Bay, lying directly north, or tg any of the numerous bays in the big harbour of Akaroa, directly to the south- To the north-east js Little Akaloa, a snug little bay with a picturesque church overlooking the sea. Further cast is Okain's Bay, and away on the eastern extremity of tho Peninsula is Le Bon's Bay. The majority of trampers, however, cannot resist the lure of Akaroa with its magnificent harbour, peaceful town, and quaint French names. Railway Department's Activities. The Railway Department was early alive to the possibilities of the rapidlygrowing popularity of tramping and in November, 1931, ten members of tho Department made the trip from Motukarara to Diamond Harbour by way of Gebbie's Pass and the Sign of the Packhorse, to ascertain the routes and distances. They found the walk an excellent one, with ever changing views from Gebbie's Pass, to Mount Herbert, and well within the ability of the average Walker. The necessary arrangements were madfl with the Lytteltop Ferry Launches, Ltd., and a round trip ticket at tjje extremely moderate price of three sellings was instituted. This amount covers the train journey Metnkarara, the launch trip from Diamond Harbour

to Lyttelton, and the train journey from Lyttelton to Cbriatehureh. Th e tickets are available by any train and during the winter months the Department runs special Sunday tr&inp to Jtfotukarara. This trip at once became extremely popular and the Department's activities stimulated the, tramping movement. As a result hostels were established on the Peninsula by the Youth Hostel Association, to which fifteen tramping clubs in Qhristchureh are affiliated. The hostels are at Diamond Harbour, Akaroa, Duvauchelle Bay, Hill Top, Le Bon's Bay, Little AUaloa, Okain's Bay, Pigeon Bay, Port Levy, Teddington, and WaJnui, and are, pf course, for the use of members of the afftliated clubs. Thyea Good Routes. Durjag the year the Railway Depart- | meat varied the round trip by "extending the initial train trip to Kaituna and to • Little Bive?, The route from Kaituna » is bd the Kajtuna Valley road to a ; bUnd road, from which an old bullock F t?aek; leads to the of tho pack- » hoffie, sVom this point the usual route I B?fing the Summit track to Her-

Bert and down the pegged survey road to Diamond Harbour is followed. The walk from Little Eiver to Diamond Harbour is the shortest of the three, being between 13 and 14 miles. On leaving the Little liivor railway station the road to tho left of tho domain is followed and then up the Western Valley road, a steady climb of five miles to the summit, overlooking Port Levy. From this point trampers may reach Diamond Harbour via Mount Herbert or via the Monument, and tho new Purau-Port Levy road, the latter route being a mile further than the Mount Herbert route. These arc tho three recognised routes for trampers, but those who desire something less strenuous may proceed from Motukarara up the valley to Gebbie's Pass, which is the lowest pass on tho Peninsula, down Gebbie's Valley to Teddington, where an excellent luncheon may be obtained. From Teddington the road to the right around the waterfront is followed to Chartcris 23ay where the beautiful homestead of Mr Orton Bradley, with its wooded background, is to be seen on the right. The Toad passes a pretty, shelly beach, and then on through Church Bay to Diamond Harbour. The total walking distance is about twelve miles. Trampers who desire to make weekend or longer trips may also arrange to use the round trip tickets for extended periods. Parties desiring to make special trips may arrange for launches r.t any time by telephoning the Lyttelton Ferry Launches, Ltd. Attractions of Diamond Harbour. The attractions of Diamond Harbour have become well known to trampers during the past few months. Only ten minutes by launch from Lyttelton, it makes Oil ideal starting or finishing point to a tramp. One of the Association's hostels is at Diamond Harbour and there is also si tea-kiosk and small stoi'c. A clean and safo bathing beach, with free dressing accommodation, is an attraction to many returning from a long tramp, while others may prefer to rest, while waiting for the launch, in the warmth of the pine-sheltered domain overlooking the harbour. And while waiting they will not fail to hear from the nearby trees the sweet and plaintive notes of one of the many riroriros, or grey warblers, which aro so plentiful! at Diamond Harbour.

LYTTELTON'S PLEASURE FLEET. POPULARITY OF S A JUNG, i The increase in.popularity of sailing, and to a certain extent of motor-boat-ing, in Lyttelton during tho past two years has been unprecedented, and the [ boat-harbour now contains well over a ' hundred pleasure craft, ranging from tbe little Takapuna sailing boats to the : big keel yachts. Indeed, the provision of berths has become a serious problem and the Lyttelton Harbour Board has before it now a proposal , to extend the accommodation for the i smaller bqats at an estimated coßt of t £750. There have been several arti ditions to the fleet already this season, including the Linnet, Dr. P. A'Court's ■ big kecler, Waiata, and the former Wel : i lington crack, Marangi, owned by Mr ■ T. T. Qough. Other units of the fleet

have undergone repairs and alteration, including Mr Eon Kennett's cruising launch Pastime, in -which a specially imported engine has been installed, and Mr R. Carey's big cruiser Oinaraina, which during the winter was lengthened by several feet by the firm of J. Miller, Ltd. The formation of the Banks Peninsula Cruising Club for the larger craft, both sail and power, has assisted to popularise extended cruises. With Canterbury holding the Sanders Cup for the blue riband sailing event in New Zealand, and with Lyttelton holding the Cornwell Cup for the junior event, the contests for both of w r hich will be held at Lyttelton early in the New Year, the popularity of sailing should become even further enhanced. EXCURSIONS TO OTIRA. For the convenience of trampers who desire to make the walk over Arthur's Pass and through the. famous Otira Gorge, and for those who desire mountaineering, the Railway Department has arranged excursion trains to Otira on December 26th (Boxing Day), and on Tuesday, January 3rd. There are those who like Arthur's Pass in the winter time, when the snow provides thrilling sport, but for the ordinary holidaymaker, with no claims to mountaineering skill, tho Pass and the Gorgo at this timo of the year, with their wealth of rata and other bloom, make an irresistible appeal. Tho walk is an easy one of between nine and ten miles, the trampers detraining at Arthur's Pass and rejoining the train at Otira. The Department makes every provision for the welfare of trampers; officials accompany each excursion and small luggage ami coats not required on tho walk may be loft in tho train. Seats may be reserved for both the outward and inward journeys, and hot water and refreshments may be obtained at Arthur's Pass and at Otira. The Midland line offers many other opportunities to the tramper. The hills between Kowhai Bush and Cora Lynn are adjaeent to the railway line, and the landowners will usually grant access to trampers providing the rights of the owners arc safeguarded. Threo of the most popular "mystery tramps" were held in this region—two in tho

The Midland line offers many other opportunities to the tramper. The hills between Kowhai Bush and Cora Lynn are adjaeent to the railway line, and the landowners will usually grant access to trampers providing tho rights of the owners arc safeguarded. Threo of the most popular "mystery tramps" were held in this region—two in tho

vicinity of Mount §.nfl one in the Lalfo Pearson district. Trampers intending to tcijr this region could taKe advantage, of" the excursion trains proviouisly mentioned, The hours relating to the closing of retail shops in Christcjuirch over tlio Christmas' and New Year holidays are announced by the Canterbury Employers' Association as follows: —On Friday, December 23rd, tlja shops will bo ppen till 10 p.m., and on the following Saturday till ]2.30 p.m, On the Monday and Tuesday following all retail shops will bo closed- The same hours will be observed on Fridav and Saturday, December 30th and 31st, and the iollowijiK Monday and Tuesday will also be full holidays.