TRIP TO THE WEST COAST

Evening Star, Issue 19387, 22 October 1926, Page 4

TRIP TO THE WEST COAST

.. JOTES BY A JUBEDIH MAN

Mr W. It. Kerens, writing about his trip from Dtmedin to Westport on the 11th, 12tll, and 13th ihsi, soys':— Wo-rftn into a snowstorm at KinycOj after leaving the main railway lino and this lasted all the way into the Gorge, the snow gradually disappearilmms we neared Arthur’s Pass. Tho storm had been chielly confined to tho eastern side of tho Southern Alps. At Arthur’s Pass wo disconnected our sinokd engine for tho electrical engine which was to take'us "through tho tunnel. and what a contrast in the two means of haulage 1 The electrical engine travels about eight miles, and her travelling is a great contrast compared to that of the steam engine. In going through the. tunnel one,is .struck with the absence of stuffiness, heat, or smoko —no humps or severe joltings. , There are-SUO odd lights in the tunnel. The Otira was reached in due time, and here everyone made a hea lino tor the dining rooms. Homo thirty odd sat down to a good hot dinner. These are ncW, spacious, lofty rooms, well lit and airy."' They ‘Will scat upwards O'f seventy at each sitting. Tho refreshment room attached can accommodate about fifty nr more, so .that the traveljing, publia are well provided for when on a visit to the West Coast. I am given to understand ihat_ something like .10,000 ton* of material passes now through this tunnel weekly. The coal and timber one sees at every loop line clearly shows what the mines and mills of the West Coast are- capable of producing. After leaving tlio Otira tunnel 1 noticed that many changes .had taken place in this valley. Tho land has been cleared in many parts, and now there was to bo seen cultivated paddocks, grass, aiid growing crops both hero and in the upper Grey Valley to Reefton. All the saw-mills are in full swing, as we could see the steam of tho engine rising up into tho air. Tho passengers for Reefton and Westport had to leave the comfortable, heated .carriages which Were bound lor Groymouth and Hokitika. On this occasion we had to wait nearly threequarters of an hour before our slow train came from Grcymoutll. ' These carriages have nob heaters of any kind, and therefore wa had to wrap ourselves in, our overcoats and nigs to keep ivarnh This train travels at a very slow pace, stopping at every small station to, let.someone off or pick, tip a fresh passenger. Reefton was reached at 7 p.m., and at Dawson’s dinner was served. This is • one ■ of■ the best and most comfortable hotels that, anyone can’ stay at. Tho t house was full that evening. After dinner 1 had a stroll through tho mining city, and found-ir. very quiet and still indeed compared to other places. There are about eighteen hotels. On Wednesday morning, tho passengers for Westport left tho hotel by 10 a.m. for tho railway station, which is situated about _a mite out of the township, and there wo had to await tho 10.20 a.m. tram from Greymouth before wo could proceed on bur journey. Tho passengers arid mails were all packed in their respective large motor cars. Two motor services ply between Reefton, Westport, and Nelson respectively—namely, Newman Bros., ■ who have tho mail contract and passenger services, and the Gibb Motor Service, whose headquarters are at Nelson. When we reached the Berlin Tea Rooms a halt was made for a few minutes for a cup of tea. At this spot a weekly rendezvous could bo made, ns it would affoM ample opportunity for those wishing to do collecting and exploring this particular part‘of the gorge. It" is a very sunny spot, being well sheltered front most of the prevailing winds. At Te Huka our car ran on to the punt, and soon.we were on the bosom of tho famous Boiler River. I asked tho man in charge the depth of the river in the centre, and ho said about nine or ten loot. The passengers on hoard each car had to pay the fee of 4d for the privilege of crossing in this famous punt, as it is a short cut into the coal mining centre of New Zealand. There is a road round by tho river side, which brings one to tho bridge which connects tho south side of the river with that of tho north.