MOTOR PARTY'S PREDICAMENT

Greymouth Evening Star, 1 February 1916, Page 3

MOTOR PARTY'S PREDICAMENT

A WEST COAST INCIDENT. A NIGHT IX Till': OPEN.

Motorists who may be contemplating a trip to the West Coast, and who are unacquainted with the route, arc advised (.says the Nelson Mail) to rxcn-i.se a measure of caution in regard to finger-posts—-supposedly erected as a guide to travellers, but which are liable to lead one very far astray, as the incident about to be related will show. Mr 11. \V. Piper, of Akaroa, Vice-President of the Canterbury Automobile Association, accompanied by his wife and three other persons, joined the Maitai Bowling Club's party at Christchurch and journeyed with them to Greymouth. The bowlors stayed at Greymouth and Mr Piper left for Westport, it being arranged that the two cars should meet again at Reefton and come on to Nelson together. Reaching Ikamatua Mr Piper came to a finger-post, indicating respectively, as he thought, '"Nelson" and "Ahaura." Taking the direction "Nelson," he travelled for about 20 miles, with the road growing gradually less and less like a main road, and arousing misgivings as to whether he was on the right route. When the road had narrowed down to a track in the heart of the bush, Mr Piper was convinced that all was not well. At 9 o'clock at night he came across two tents, and finding the occupants, discovered that they were prospectors, who informed him that ho was on the road—to the Nelson Creek dredging ' claim ! Efforts to turn the car round failed, owing to the narrowness of the track, and eventually the party decided that there was nothing for it but to spend the night in the car. Fortunately the weather was fine, and no one was any the worse for the experience, though the'sandflies and mosquitoes were a, perpetual annoyance. Next morning, after cutting a special track, and with the use of jacks, the car was turned round, being a good dead damaged in the operation. Arriving at the finger-post again the cause of the mistake was discovered. Originally the sign had been "To Nelson Creek," but boys had partially obliterated the word "Creek," which was not discernible to anyone reading the notice from a distance. Mr Piper should, of course, have taken the Ahaura road, but it is not unnatural that he should feel annoyed that the finger-post should have been permitted to remain and lead travellers astrav. The fMaitai bowlers' party were greatly surprised at catching up with Mr Piper's party on the road instead of meeting them at Reefton as arranged. The delay meant that the Southern visitors were unable to accompany the Nelsonians to the city, but had to come on later. Another ' instance of the need for a more adequate provision of finger-posts on the West Coast is given by the Maitai bowlers, who themselves took a wrong turning, and reached the Blackwater mines and a dead end instead of taking the main road to Reefton. There was nothing to indicate the main road. The 'bowlers and Mr Piper contrast the difference between the Nelson district and the West Coast in the matter of providing finger-posts for the guidance of travellers. In and near Nelson there is no difficulty in making one's way about, the noticeboards being so numerous, but there is need for a great improvement in this respect on the West Coast.