NATIONAL PARKS
Sir,—Mr Lush is in error about the Hurunui saddle. The .first white men to reach this saddle (Harper’s Pass) were Messrs Edward Dobson, Mason, Dampier, Henry Taylor, apd the latter’s shepherd, in September, 1857. They were held up on the Taramakau by four days’ rain. Dobson and the runholders noted the good sheep country, and Dobson recommended further exploration, even if .the West Coast was useless (for sheep). The. “Lyttelton Times” hoped that private enterprise would complete Dobson’s route to the Coast- His discovery was based on reports from the Maoris and West . Coast explorers. Messrs Yonge and Wilson visited the pass soon after. In November, 1857, Harper, Locke, and four Maoris made the first crossing from coast to coast. Harper was told by the Maoris about the pass now known as Arthur’s, but shortage of food and broken shoes stopped them from coming, back to Canterbury by that route.—Yours, etc.. D. MACMILLAN. January 17. 1949.
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Press, Volume LXXXV, Issue 25705, 18 January 1949, Page 5
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158NATIONAL PARKS Press, Volume LXXXV, Issue 25705, 18 January 1949, Page 5
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