BROWNING'S PASS

Hokitika Guardian, 5 April 1928, Page 4

BROWNING'S PASS

(By an Australian.)

Browning’s Pass—have you ever traced it on tlie map? You will find that it breaks the ranges on the Canterbury side behind Lake Coleridge, and winds its way down the West Coast alongside the Styx river, almost touches Lake Ivanieri, and regains civilisation on the West Coast at Kokatahi, which is ten miles inland from Hokitika.

As one climbs along this okl pass one’s tnoughts revert to the old hardy prospector, who no doubt was the real pioneer and explorer of New Zealand. How his uncanniness secerned to take him over mountains and around precipices! How he crossed swift-running streams and penetrated the dense jungle of New Zealand’s native bush! Blizzards, torrential rain, and a hundred other hardships did not stay him once he headed west. He got there, sometimes even on the point of starvation. Perhaps if those silent ranges and noisy, swift-running rivers could tall: in our language they could disclose many tragedies in Xew Zealand’s early history.

It is only three days’ walk from east to west via Browning’s Pass, and huts arc spaced at intervals, which, although private property, can be used for accommodation, under usual shepherd’s hut rules.

Browning’s Pass passes through Xew Zealand virgin hush, and is equal, if not superior, to any walk in Xew Zealand. As a traveller passes from the Canterbury side he seems to lie escorted by great towering mountain ranges covered with native hush that at- first sight seems impenetrable. He soon, however, finds that the track winds its wav along a river-course. There are falls and rapids, and the splash ol the mighty streams that roar their song of welcome as you pass amid giant ferns end catch a glimpse of the stated',’ timber as daylight penetrates through the magnificent undergrowth. Birds, too, greet with their songs, and one is often able to hear the roar of deer in the hush close at hand. Hero and there the sunshine glistens on mighty cascades that seem to drop perpendicular to your feet. As you approach civilisation a glimpse can be obtained of that magnificent sheet ol water. Lake Kanicri, locked in by towering .Mount Upright and Mount Graham. Around its waters, which arc alive with wild fowl, is a wealth of Xew Zealand native shrubs and bush that is amazing. At night, Browning’s Pass is a city of miniature lights. Glowworms seem to have made it their headquarters. .Millions and millions of tiny lights, that somehow never seem to make "von feel lonely, until you wonder if Xature, after all, meant to penetrate our dark, inaccessible spots with lights where the moonbeams < ould not rcacb. They are a wonderful sight—these myriads o! lights sent out by those tiny worms; a sight worth the trip alone to see. Browning’s Pass will one day become the favourite walk of Xew Zealand. It is at Canterbury’s back door, and in Australian language, “ is the Bower Bird’s Paradise of Xew Zealand.”