THE WEST COAST

Hokitika Guardian, 9 April 1937, Page 2

THE WEST COAST

VIGNETTES OF WESTLAND. IV. HAAST PASS. The long isolated Haast Pass is to feature at last more delinitely and intimately in the progress of Westland. The' Pass was known and used by the Maoris for generations, being a favoured route east and west for those natives who made their way south. It was from the Maoris Dr .Julius von Haast learned of a pass, tlnd left Lake Wanaka (Otago) in 1803 to search for it. It required ten days to iind it, and the party rejoiced at their good fortune. Its highest part is only 1710 feet above sea level. Haast wrote:

“This, a remarkable pass was found which in a chain of such magnitude as the Southern Alps of New Zealand, is probably without parallel in the known world.” Haast was a noted geologist and scientist, and he praised the scenery greatly, culminating in the remark: “The whole panorama formed a picture ot such wild beauty that it can never be effaced from my memory.”

Westlanders approach the Pass from the Coast and proceeding up the river, also named after Haast. pass Mosquito Hill regarded as the approximate site for the road bridge on the State highway now being constructed. There arc rocky bluffs with cascading waterways, and varied bush scenery at each turn. A better view of the valley is to be had from Thomas Bluff, while from the side, open up canyons of wild grandeur. The Clark Bluff hut is a regular stopping stage for rest and refresh ment, and a- view is to be had of the Landsborough tributary, the fine valley of which is such a feeder to the main stream. Then the direction of the traveller turns south leading to the Burke crossing where there are good camp ing quarters provided. From that po.nt the next change of course is to anothei tributary, the wells, and the rise is now rapid. Then the valley widens and the alpine surroundings disappeai as the traveller is over the Pass, and into Otago to follow the Makarora t ,; the road junction at Lake 'Wanaka.

The Pass has boon crossed by many notable officials and travellers since the early settlement days. To reach the highest point is something like 40 mile,from the West Coast seaboard. There is a record of Puoho’s crossing, 100 years ago. He was a lieutenant of Rauparaha and was on an invasion expedition, which suffered badly in the inter-tribal fighting, the year of which has been fixed at 183/. Very few of the invaders returned to the coast. Early day minors crossed from Otago to Westland, and as with the surveyors, Jackson Bay and the Sounds were their objective.

Now tlio construction of the road is under way from the Makarova end. A large party of men is working towards the Coast. There are some 47 miles of road to construct to link the Coast settlement at the Haast with the Otago road system. From the Haast settlement it is hoped the road now in hand from Maintain south, will duly junction ; while to the south it is expected the road will go to Jackson Bay, which is being investigated for shipping purposes. The Bay is considered a very suitable inlet for harbour con struction, and soundings are to be taken with regard to mole construction for loading facilities. Another road n. the system to link with the routeabove referred to, is the work under way down the Hollyford, which tops the Southland road on the route up the Egl*nt>on Valley to Milford Sound When completed the whole system will work in with the Westland and Hansi Pass link to Otago, and making Hulast mentioned an important, unit In the roading of the South Island.

The Haast Pass route has been used for stock droving, cattle and horses being driven across to the Otago saleyards, while from Martin’s Bay stock have been taken by track route to the Southland markets. With the linking of the settlements by roads and safe river crossings, the trading intercom's, east and west will grow substantially and assist in the more rapid development of the far south territoryj where there are possibilities for expanse in settlement and industry.