SPEEDBOAT TO ATTEMPT BULLER GORGE PASSAGE

Press, Volume XCVI, Issue 28370, 31 August 1957, Page 12

SPEEDBOAT TO ATTEMPT BULLER GORGE PASSAGE

Three jet-propelled speedboats will attempt today to negotiate the rapids of the Buller river from’ Westport up through the Buller! Gorge, possibly as far as Mur-’ chison.

The leader of the expedition will be Mr C. W. F. Hamilton, a well-known Mackenzie Country run holder and former racing motorist, who invented the jet boat, and is keen to explore the’ Buller river as a suitable water-’ way for jet-boating. The rapids will call for ex-, perienced skill and judgment, fori a false turn could mean instant! wreckage, or worse. The boats are to keep in com- ( pany through the Buller Gorge, for safety, and the drivers wilL all wear life-jackets. The party' will comprise Mr Hamilton, Mr Guy Mannering. a Christchurch photographer, and Mr A. Dick. 1

; The craft can turn in their own j length at 30 miles an hour and jean be made to leap over obstacles lin the water. If successful, the I drivers intend to explore other sections of the river later.

Before the Buller 'Gorge road was built, river barges were dragged through the rapids to take merchandise from Westport to settlers up country. The Ministry of Works is understood to be contemplating the purchase of jet-propelled speedboats , for hydro surveys and flood j rescues because of their successi ful use recently in the survey of rapid river currents at the Benmore dam site.