TO THE SIGN OF THE BELLBIRD

Press, Volume LXXIV, Issue 22392, 4 May 1938, Page 16

TO THE SIGN OF THE BELLBIRD

SUMMIT ROAD DRIVE IN ORDER EXTENSION OF MOTORING , HIGHWAY The summit road to the west of Dyer's Pass is now in good order to the Sign of the Bellbird, at Kennedy's Bush, and should be as popular with motorists as the eastern section. Though the road is not sealed it is well graded, widened, and metalled, and is in excellent condition. This section of the drive along the hilltops will evesftually continue to Gebbie's Pass, where it will link up with the road from Teddington and so complete a round tour of about 20 miles from the Sign of the Takahe to the Sign of the Kiwi, to the Sign of the Bellbird, and to Gebbie's Pass, beneath the'radio tower, and then back to the Takahe through Teddington, and the beautiful fruit-farming districts of Allandale and Governor's Bay at the head of Lyttelton Harbour. The Sign of the Bellbird at Kennedy's Bush is one of the most beautiful places on the hilltop drive. The rest-house itself, well known to trampers, is set amid ribbonwood trees, and commands a fine view of the plains and the Alps. At the same spot there is a full view of Lyttelton harbour, looking directly from a vantage point at its head, right out past the township of Lyttelton to the heads and the open sea.

"Place of the Voices"

Kennedy's Bush, among the Maoris had a beautiful name, Orongomai, or "The Place of the Voices." Though much of the bush was lost through fire some years ago, there is still a beautiful section of it left. It was the ambition of Mr H. G. Ell, founder of the Summit road, in the old days to have a regular coach service on the run to Kennedy's Bush and over to Gebbie's Pass. The road is well formed all the way to Gebbie's Pass, but it is not safe for motorists very far past the Sign of the Bellbird. The work has been in hand for some time, but thereMs a long stretch of road between the Bellbird and Gebbie's Pass, and it will be a good many months before it can be put into the condition of the eastern and recently-opened section of the Summit road. Men have been working on the Dyer's Pass-Governor's Bay road, which is now widened and made far safer for motorists. With the completion of this- stretch and later the Dyer's Pass-Kennedy's Bush-Gebbie's Pass section, motorists will enjoy a fine selection of beautiful hill and harbour drives. ■