Balclutha to the Nuggets.

Clutha Leader, Volume II, Issue 66, 14 October 1875, Page 6

Balclutha to the Nuggets.

Mr Conyers has resolved to'issue, return tickets: per railway at reduced rates. Summer leather is at b&nd. Holiday and excursion trips :from Dunedin to Balelutha will very shortly be of almost daily occurrence; While many of our 'visitors will no 1 doubt be abundantly satisfied with : a d ay spent in Balelutha and its'immediate vicinity, 1 it is more than likely numbers*'will, on a second visit take a drive or a ride to several of the* more interesting; scenes throughout the district. For J the.in-' formation and guidance of all such, we propose briefly and from time to time to point but some of the localities which are worthy, of a visit, the character of the roads,',and the objects of interest tolbe seen,'; The; first of these is the lighthouse at the Nuggets, The journey and tock can easily be accomplished in a summer day, but a good horse and an early start are requisite if pleasure,. be the object. Either of two roads may be taken as far as Port Molyneux: the main road via Puerua or the river bank road. By the former the road is'metalled the greater part of the way, and even the portions unmetalled are very good, unless during wet weather and with heavy traffic. The distance by this route to Port Molyneux is 14 miles. The river bank route is about 11 or 12 miles in length, and is only partially formed a distance of three miles from Balelutha., It follows the river bank the whole! way, is quite level, a smooth turf; arid is quite good for either horseback or a buggy. For a distance of three iriiles; at the lower end a new road has been cut in a straight line through the swamp, but it is not yet'passable, and should ■ be avoided even by pedestrian s. . jLt \ Port Molyneux township there is.little to induce a prolonged stay : a;hotel>; a store, a small jetty and goods sbed,! one | or two tradesmens' shops, and a very i few dwellinghouses. Tt ought to have .been a large and flourishing seaport before now, but it is not. There have been rocks in 1 the way which the Clutha River Trust will no doubt speedily have removed, .and then the township will gp ahead, as it is said Oamaru will do, until it outstrips Dunedin in wealth, extent, and generarimportarice. 'Then such vessels as the Otago' and the Ringarooma will call d<uly to carry away produce of the settlers in South Molyneux, PuerUa, "Waitepeka, G-lenomaru, A.huviri, Gatlins, <Src, and the General Government will have good cause to regret that they so determinedly set their face against the proposed I Waitepeka Railway deviation. From ! Port Molyneux to the Nuggets is about 8 miles. The road'-.or track passes below the signal station, which is visible from the Port, about a mile' and half distant. Passing the signal station Willshire Bay is entered. It is in the | shape of a horse-shoe, about two miles long. The tourist passes along the ! hard sandy beach.; on his left tie waves break in regular succession, while on the right the wooded hills rise precipitously. Here a Maori pah is passed. There are only, three or four huts, with the inhabitants squatting about in native fashion; and yelping currs snap at your horse's heels. The Maoris speak good English and seem intelligent. At the west end of this bay Mr Wilson, late of Lambourn Station, has erected a very fine and substantial residence, the material being concrete". , It will be a delightful spot if once the. surroundings are completed. libng ißay is next reached, arid the road passes partly on the beach and partly through the bush. It should have' kept the beach ail the way till near the Nuggets, but there were some slight rocks to remove, and to avoid them the road is taken tip into the bush, where it is narrow, winding, wet, and sometimes steep. At the west end of this bay is ! the promihtory known as the Nuggets, and upon theextremepoint of which the lighthouse, is'placed! As the road approaches the lighthouse it is very cut out of the rock several hundreds of feet .high. ,''A' '.buggy,, however can be driven to the door, v butj few will attempt it, and will prefer to I leave it near" to '"the""keeper's house, about half simile from the lighthouse.! To describe the scenery of the Nuggets would be superfluous. It has frequently been done already, and numerous i photographs of the locality can be seen in every photographer's windows Tne coast west from the Nuggets is seen! tor: some distance, and is a series of bold rocky promontories, between two of which is the entrance to Catlins River. The whole scene is grand, wild, and romantic. The admirer of such scenery would go frantic over it. Those who delight in sketching would find here ample scope for the use of pencil, and could spend a week with much delight. We know of no more pleasant trip from Balelutha for a day's pleasure than a ride to the Nuggets. We may add that the visitors will find Mr Clark, the lighthouse-keeper, a thoroughly obliging individual, who will point out and explain everything \ connected with the locality and the magnificent light apparatus, which apparently is kept in the cleanest and most perfect condition. The return trip to Port Molyneux is accomplished,! at the pace of a walk in the bush and a ; canter on the sand, in an hour and a quarter. At the Port both man and beast will he prepared to enjoy refreshment and an hour's rest, and both can be had at the Alexandra Hotel.

■~. v .i-r ,tVr.v;.-i!.-" r, .; ~.....n. ; -,i . ..... . Another ride of'two hours Will accomplishrthe 1 to Balelutha. We. have %no 'doubt j that, ihe summer months, a !tbur';tp the! Nujggjets will be,, ; a. favorite with many, and we are very sure that no one will eyer return 1 disappointed or .dissatisfied with tlie trip,,.'..'.!-.:'■'!:... ',',■■■;.■','■',. -; '.-' ~"/• : c