FOOTPATHS ON THE HILLS

Press, Volume LXXIV, Issue 22432, 20 June 1938, Page 5

FOOTPATHS ON THE HILLS

TO TBS XDITOB OT TBS PBEB3. Sir, —Here is one hearty round of applause for your “In the Pillory” column of Saturday’s issue. With the Summit speedway now an accomplished fact, it is difficult to offer any constructive criticism; and one can only be sad at the thought that those who truly enjoy the sanctuary of the hills have been pushed rudely aside by a mechanised invasion. A true lover of the hills is willing and indeed anxious to use his own power to take him where he can still enjoy natural surroundings. So, while sympathising with those who cannot, what can one say of those who would not, were it not in a motor-car?

With the wide expanse of the Canterbury plains and its endless roads for the motorist to choose from, it does seem grossly unfair that the hill walker should have his last remaining stronghold, within quick qnd easy access of the city, snatched from him. However, it has been suggested that foot tracks be cut above the level of the road for those who prefer to walk. Well, that’s better than nothing; but could they not be made, where practicable, on the opposite side of the summit ridge? While this would mean being mostly on the shady side of the hill, it would lessen the risk of suffocation from exhaust fumes; and after all, it is partly for health reasons that one walks on the hills. Ella’s Track only just saves the Kennedy’s Bush walk from being a menace to health. And so let us turn sad experience to good account and see what can be done on behalf of that apparently forgotten race—those who walk. Here is one suggestion: that that beautiful stretch of hill summits from the bead of the harbour to the Hill Top be kept, by some unalterable law, exclusively for those people who find in their spirit the urge to travel on foot to enjoy the silent places, undisturbed and unfearing.—Yours, etc., R.B. June J9, 1933, ■ .