CASUAL COMMENT

Hokitika Guardian, 7 December 1940, Page 6

CASUAL COMMENT

AND SOME OBSERVATIONS

(By Observer)

The southern district offers such varieties of scenery' for those interested, that of necessity the main road must be abandoned to -see the greater beauties of the byroads. Below Wataroa in particular, the traveller reaches the, main region of the wonderland of Westland, in'the glaciers and the mountains of every approach. Franz Josef lias a woderful vogue those days, and deserves it, for it is a. fine; example of nature’s handiwork in bringing a river of ice to the road’s edge, while cladding' the overlooking hillsides with verdant tropical growth of great variety and interest. The former laborious walk by . track to the scenic spot is avoided now, lor a road-way through the busliland takes the traveller to a point overlooking this wonderful phenomenon. It is made more interesting of late because of the lake at the foot of the glacier which is dotted with small blocks of floating ice, presenting a, miniature model of Antarctica. The road is. a great convenience, and views of the glacier are afforded on route.

At the Fox Glacier. 18 miles further south, similar roafi access is being provided, but it is three quarters of a mile, from the glacier yet. The road will be notable for its beauty also, although it can hardly eclipse the avenue road to the footbridge over the Fox River, on the north side of the river. The two glaciers are both favourites with mountaineers, and reach back to the high hills where extensive snow fields are available for sk.v-ing. Notaries may travel miles for ski-ing. Notaries 1 may travel miles provides guides, and equipment for those desirous of exploring the higher altitudes, which are crowned by mount Tasman at thet ;liead of the Fox Glacier. In both instances, the access gives an entry into a wonderful landscape of country unique in this Dominion, in that it is so readily accessible by road, and can be explored with so little .effoi’tby those who delight in. mountaineering.

In the same locality of Woheka, there is the new road ,fo , Gillespie’s • Beach, some eight miles in length 'through bush , country, .As a consequence it- affords many- fine vistas, as the sunshine strikes through the ‘.adjacent -foliage and lights up the roadway - with - sunshine qr. shadow alternately. At the road end is Gillespie’s' Bench and the Tasman Soil. Along the shores, the dredge operates, and the workers in their dwellings have, revived again the settlement which once flourished in the old alluvial mining days. There is a pleasant prospect- of the sea an*’ the distant rp);eJands,uor.tl} and south, and bathed in bright sunshine, they give a notable picture of the West Coast coastline. But tins visitor will enjoy again,, the, beauties to he seen along the • r'bad, as the journey is the bu.sh scenery which is skirting the road is once again

.enjoyed. ;* The flowers of the forest promise to be prolific this season; Birches are already in full blossom, and the rata is beginning to peep out. The turn mountains forming the gorge for the Fox river at Weheka, will be a blaze of scarlet soon, and with roads on both sides of the river, this wonderful scene can be enjoyed by all travellers. At Oemoroa there is a fine showing of delightful forest flowers of the lily of the valley type, rather a rare native, it would appear. The ferns are displaying their fronds in endless variety. The clusters of Prince of Wales ferns, which are so admired along the Fox Road, where they are pleasantly sheltered from the direct sun, make it a picturesque plot for the admiration of all. The variety in fern land is one of the sights to marvel at. South Westland is indeed well favoured with the gifts of nature in its remarkable forest gems.

Beyond Welieka there is now one o| the best niotordrives in the Dominion. The distance to the Pnringa is about 40 miles, and it is level practically throughout. The new south exit at Karangarua is open for traffic, and links up with the speedway from Manakaiaua on. kbit the scenery oil route can well delay the speedist. There is a lovely avenue leaving Welieka. and between the Fox and Cook rivers, spanned by the modern type of suspension bridges, there is interesting bush scenery, and then the open dountry of Cook River Flat, where again settlement dots the side of tin 1 road. The traveller crosses by the new suspension bridge, length 424 feet, said In he the longest of its kind In New Zealand. On the south side is the new road, cutting in half the longer route by the old road which followed tin l river bed to join up with the south road a few rrdTos down. At that point begins the broad highway which should he flic delight of all motorists.

rli a brief interval of time, the traveller is at Bruce Hay. where industry reigns. With the possible coming of a binding stage. export from that quarter will inerea.se substantially. The road no tbe valley to Mahitahi, passes through tall timbers which are reserved as a soecial scenic asset, and so earries the traveller on to road’s end (at present) where the Paringa river bridge is materialising slowly. The call of the south might well be in most motorists’ ears these coming holidays, for there aw excellent -roads to negotiate, passing through majestic and beautiful some