LEWIS PASS

Hokitika Guardian, 6 January 1933, Page 7

LEWIS PASS

THE ROAD ROUTE

SURVEY, WORK NEARLY COMPLETED.

CHRISTCHURCH, January 4. The survey work in connection •ritfi the Lewis Pass route to the West Joast is now almost completed. Five men were engaged on the work, which commenced early last August. Abe first camp was located in Boyle Galley, five miles from “The Poplars.” At this time there was a four-inch fall of snow, and it was observed that the river and tributary streams rose quickly. Although the hills generally were nigh and rugged and interlaced with jush-covered gullies, flat terraces allowed of easy going for the road route. After covering the intervening territ--ry the party located their second camp eight miles further up the Lends Valley, about four miles above the junction with the Boyle. Here the hills were steeper, the tops were bare, and the lower slopes covered with scrubby birch, Creeks were small, but the banks were steep, and from the large amount of.debris in the beds it was apparent that gl'eat volumes of water periodically flowed down these channels. Great shingle slips were a common feature.

Tho third and last camp, some 18 miles from “The Poplars,” saw the party in easier country, altough the grade to the saddle increased a good deal. Swampy clearings were common, and there were many sandflies. The party saw ‘ plenty of deer in this locality, and in the latter part of their stay noticed that) the stags were in velvet, while many of the hinds ■ had fawns. Bird life was' also plentiful. Paradise duck were everwhere, . keas were) .common, and occasionally bush pigeons were seen. One night the party saw a long-tailed cuckoo. Occasionally tho melodious notes of the bellbird were heard. Shags, were' numerous, and it was evident that .rookeries exist back in the hills. That the shags took heavy toll of the rivers and streams was evident from the scarcity of trout. ...

A HOT SPRING. The party praised the Vina hot spring (in which they bathed), situated about two miles above'the junction of the Boyle river. ' The water is hot, although muddy, and from the quantity of empty beer bottles about the spring apparently is not unknown. The present track follows the rivers fairly closely and is not steep, although not very well defined in places, and rough, and swampy in othei's with many fords, It is passable Only for those walking or Using horses. While the party was in the vicinity several cyclist passed through but vowed they would never repeat the trip on the old track. The surveying party’s work was to select a good line along the valley, cutting it through the bush. measuring it and taking its direction, technically known as chaining and traversing. Levels were taken along the route and oyer the slopes of the country on either side (levelling' and cross-sectioning) with positions of rivers, creeks, and swamps to he crossed by tlie proposed road. On steep slopes this wa§ rather arduous work, but presented no real difficulties.