WAIHO TO HOKITIKA

Hokitika Guardian, 4 May 1920, Page 1

WAIHO TO HOKITIKA

A ROUGH TRIP

Coaching up from the south last v>.°k immediately following the big flood, was not a pleasant experience for passengers by the mail coach. Here are some notes of the trip, covering April 27th to 29th: Left Waiho about 8.30. p.m. luesdny, forded Totara river in big flood. At the Forks the driver was told he must not-proceed as the rivers were impassable and a big washout at Wataroa. Started next morning (Wednesday) about 8.45 and upon reaching the \fa;tangi river saw the two roadmen bolding up hands, and calling out, “7ou cannot get though.” The driver ieplied “We must,” and then the fun began. Passengers and driver turned into navvies and for about one hour were busily engaged throwing stones etie. into the river in order to . make a torch One passenger would not trust hiriiieu in tlie coach, so took off boots etc., and waded through; the other three pass rigors got into the coach and with tne roadmen holding on to keep the cone 1 back we slid down into the river, ar.d were drawn just enough through to allow the passengers to scramble down on the dry land and then more navving before the coach could he got up the hank. A photo was taken of the coac'i as it was swaying in the river at the next fording. Here a ‘ private coach was met; and Mr J. Manera (our driver) had to l.flp it across. On the‘bank of the Wat er a there was a big washout and no attempt made to do anything to allow the coach to get through. The Messrs H. anJ W. Gunn arrived to help us througn, and one of them rode away to find the roadman and Mr Manera began to cut a road through. The passengers rid what they could to help fill up the creek for a ford. After three hours’ strenuous work the coach was finally got on the main road again. Too much cannot be said about the work of Ite Messrs Gunn, and especially of Mr J. Manera, the driver. All went well until the foot of Mt. Hercules was readied when upon enquiry the driver heard that the fording place of the Little Wanganui river had 'very much altered and that it would be unsafe for him to go without a guide as the quicksands were bad. Mr Glass, the roadman got his horse, and in the moonlight led the way. All were thankful to reach Hari Ilari about 8 p.m. The people could scarcely beliov a the South coach had arrived. The passengers said only a Jim Manera could have got it through—and as a made of appreciation he was made a presentation.

Two passengers from other parts of New Zealand said t-lie Waiho Gorge would never be a favourite tourist resort until at any rate the Little Wanganui and Waitungi rivers were bridged

and then Hokitika might expect a continual stream of tourists passing through. Let the Chamber of ' Commerce, Progress League, Tourist Association, County Council, and all the other bodies get 'busy, and with a strong pull altogether secure the bridges for South Westland, without- further procrastination.