A HOLIDAY TRIP.

Greymouth Evening Star, 16 May 1906, Page 4

A HOLIDAY TRIP.

THROUGH, SOUTH WESTLAND, - (Concluded.) 3 From tho suspension bridge across lit© Wailio River, one is struck, instantly by the Franz Josef Glacier, lying so snugly esconced in the arms of its protecting mountains. The grandeur of the scene was irresistibly charming. For some minutes we silently,’ nay reverently, gazed upon Natures magnificent panorama, in which the earth’and sky appeared to coininglo. The distant clouds,, in their iomvard, ratling:- progress had completely enveloped the mountain tops, disclosing beneath tho now purpletinted glacier in all its magnificence and grandeur. Tho dull mountain walls on either side stood out in bold relief, a-dowu- which tho azuro waterfalls fell, breaking into sparkling multi-tinted spray as they struck the lower ico land.’ Lower still and issuing' from tho glacier itself was to bo seen the rock-bound Waiho, with its xushiug. foaming waters seeking tho lower ground, where its anger might cease, and its waters flow in tranquil, solid volume to tho ocean. The bridge across tho river, from which a splendid view is to lie otbained, is built on principal common to South Westland. Two uprights ar© placed on either side .of the stream, several stout wire ropes drawn across, anil on this are placed footboards—a rickctty, but nevertheless safe, contrivance, whereby folks cross tho stream in safety. From this bridge, the way lay along a bridle track, winding through beautiful bush —a tangled mixture of rata ami birch, cabbage and fern trees, with a remarkable profusion of undergrowth in which the beautiful “Prince of Wales” fern grows luxuriously. A quarter of an hour’s walk in this glen brings one to tho terminal faco of tho glacier. To new chums tho “climb cm the ico is full of interest and one not unaccompanied by humorous incidents. At the commencement the loose moraine is rather difficult, but once on tho glacier itself travelling becomes easier, albeit a bit “slippery.” . We proceeded one and a half miles upwards, the ascension being over solid hillocks of ice, freely intersected with crevices of unknown depth and reflecting a deep bine color as they recede into tho heart of this solidified body. As the distance from the terminal face is increased the ice becomes more broken, rendering travelling more difficult with t!u> consequent necessity of having to cut steps in iho ice. “Tlie Pinnacles"—sharpened prints of ice—rising to a considerable height, above the surface, often assume grotesque, but nevertheless li.autiful forms. They are a marveldons sight—tin' bine crevices forming •a strong contrast lo tho white-capped Binnacles. The further tho climb is continued, (he moro beautiful and fascinating the scene. Tho superb nurture, and the great variety, of tho c untry only wants to be more widely known to be moro extensively patronised. The return journey on the “Incur is rather moro difficult than the ascent, there being an involuntary • tendency on ilie part of the travellers l>> go slipping down tho surface.

THE TRAVELLERS’ ITINERARY. So little is known locally of the delightful trip that 1 append an itinerary of the journey, which occupied a week, but which can bo aocomplislied ■in four days if desirable:—Ross to -M.itenui (bridged), 4 miles; Mikonui River to Ferguson’s, 6 miles ; Ferguson’s to Urquhardt's, 7 miles (passing over the Little Waitaba and Big Wailaha Rivers, both bridged) ; Urquhardt’s to Hondo’s, 14 .miles (passing over several small, shallow crooks, easily fordable, and over tin l Big Wanganui River by boat maintained by the Westland County Council); Hondo's to Wataroa, 20 miles (Little Wanganui fordable in dry weather; if swollen can be put tiver in it dray, and Big Wataroa, on which there is a ferry); Wat area to iOkarito Forks, 12-miles (Little Wai.tangi River, fordable); Okarifo Forks te Wailto, 14 miles (two small shallow creeks). —Total distance from Ross, .77 miles; from Hokitika, 97 miles. The roads are in good condition for cycling all (lie wav. THE BEAUTIFUL SEAL FUR.

Three weeks ago ti detective left for •South Westland, presumably Ohura, to enquire) into the theft of some goods from tile wharf shed there. His advent to New Zealand’s Never Never Land—as tho .Superintendent of the tourist Departnieiit termed The south* ern portion of tho Premier's constitu-ency-aroused the curiosity of the .South Westlanders, who were at a loss to understand the cause of the visit. Several days after the detective started on his journey, a story, which for prettiuess and dramatic finish would he hard to excel, gained currency ‘and was generally accepted. It was to this effect: Some months ago a

Tlaxie,” now employed at a southern lla.Miiill, wooed a Gjvynionlh girl, and succeeded in winning her affections, lie subsequently proceeded to what is known in Okarito as "Tho Far Down”—i.e,, that portion of Westland smith of the Waiho—and obtained employment as a lln xmill band. While I here, he caught a large seal, which lie skinned to obtain its fur. Having done this he preserved its fur, and then, as (ho story goes, packed it, ill a hemp halo and sent it to his lady love in Greymouth. In due course, the lady received Hie seal fur, allegedly a beautiful one. Then THE DRAMATIC PART

of the South Wesflander’s story enters. The lady frequently boasted of

the fur, and showed it round. The jealous woman then appeared on the scene. Embittered at her rival's success and envious of her good luck in securing the fur, she gave tho police the

“wink.” Hence tho South Westlander finds that tho detective's visit was to put down illegal seal fishing. “But,” was thy remark of tho knowing one, with a twinkle in his eyes, “the boys got Hie ‘wink’ long before the detective appeared on the scene.”