DOWN THE BULLER

Evening Post, Volume CX, Issue 42, 18 August 1930, Page 11

DOWN THE BULLER

FEAT WITH SMALL BOAT TWO ADVENTUROUS DAYS (By Telegraph.—Press Association.) WESTPOBT, loth August. A voyage down tho Buller Eiver was yesterday accomplished when a 9ft boat pulled into Westport Harbour. The navigator was Mr. Syd. Eeid, well known for his heroic actions during the earthquake, and ho carried with hini a friend, Mr.' Simon Muir, as'passenger. Leaving tho Eight Mile Stage at 8.30 a.m., the boat sped merrily along until tho grim rapids of Bochefort Tails wore reached. Thcsej extending for about five chains, took some time to negotiate, but thereafter the course was smoother, although falls and rapids ono after another had to be negotiated. The desire of getting to the end of the journey could not overcome Mr. ] Beid's wish to visit old scenes. . There was a halt at the mouth of Lyell Creek to find the ring to which the trading boats used to be moored in days of old. Then there was a halt to pan a •prospect in order that the passenger should see how it was done. Gold tvas there unmistakably in the pan. It was a nasty and dangerous run over the Blackwater Falls, and the Twelve Mile Stage was reached about 5 p.m. There tho voyagers halted for the night, resuming the voyage riext morning, and pulling into the wharf at Westport about noon to-day. •

So for as is known this trip down the river has never been done before, and as Mr. Eeid has boated from Murchison to Eight Mile he may be set down as the only man who has boated the Biillcr from Murchison to West-port. . ; ....'._