BY CAR TO THE GLACIERS.

Manawatu Standard, Volume XLIV, Issue 644, 1 March 1923, Page 5

BY CAR TO THE GLACIERS.

LOCAL LADY’S INTERESTING TRIP. MRS P. TORSTONSON’S IMPRESSIONS. Mrs P. Torstonson, of Palmerston North, recently returned from an interesting motor tour of the West Coast of the South’ Island, her itinerary including a trip to the Tranz Josef Glacier, which she ascended in company with a party of mountaineers. Accompanied by her daughter Mrs Torstonson drove her own car throughout the tour, an accomplishment which is worthy of note in view of the dangerous nature of the roads in the glacial area. REALTIES OF THE SOUTH. “On arrival at Nelson, which, by the war, impressed me as being a beautiful littaie town,” said Mrs Torstonson, “we spent just sufficient time to see the dstrict and then set out on our tour, with tho Waiho Gorge and the Franz Josef Glacier as our destination. We proceeded from Nelson via tho Waimea road, which was in excellent condition lor motor traffic, to Belgrove and then commenced the climb up Spooner’s range. We obtained a magnificent view from the top; behind us in the distance lay the Waimea Plains and Tasman Bay and so entranced was I with the view that I stopped the car twice to gaze upon the beauty of the scene, I have seen most of the beauty spots of New Zealand, but the view from Spooner's range compares favourably with the best that the Dominion can produce. Descending from the ridge we pioceeded to Motupiko and on to the foot of the Hope Saddle. This proved a fairly stiff climb with many ‘hair-pin’ bends to negotiate, but on reaching the summit we were rewarded with a delightful view of forest and hills which extended for miles. Going down the other side of the saddle we continued on to Glenhope, which is the present railway terminus from Nelson. A fair' road with a good running from here brought us to Murchison, eightytwo miles distant from Nelson. Wo stayed in this progressive little town for the night and next morning started for Greymouth., Soon after leaving Murchison we saw the famed Duller river and passed through beautiful bush scenery over the Lyell. The road here was on a steep grade and wo passed over into what is known as the upper Duller Gorge. We pulled up at the small township of Lyell, which was famous in tho old gold-digging days when it boasted a population of 4000 inhabitants, but which now contains a mere handful of residents. Here I was shown many interesting relics of bygone days, including several large nuggets that had been dug in tho district. “After we left Lyell we found the road continued more or less hilly as far as the Inangahua bridge, which we crossed entering the junction of the same name. At this point of our journey we turned to the left, with Westport on our right, and proceeded to Reeften. After leaving there we encountered a long climb with many winding turns which, however, we negotiated successfully and passed over the saddle, arriving at Greymouth late in the afternoon. We stayed there for the night and the following afternoon started for Hokitika, which we made our headquarters for four days. From there I visited Lake Kanieri, Mount Misery, so called as it is said two men set out many years ago for the mountain and never returned, the Blue Spur and Rimu. At the latter place I was shown over the American dredge that is recovering a considerable amount-of gold, and the mechanism was fully Explained. The scenery around Lake Kanieri, and, in fact, all round Hokitika, is beautiful and I have never seen such impressive sunsets as are to be seen in this district.” A CARAVAN PARTY. “Although leaving home intending to motor to the glacier in my own car, 1 was persuaded to join a caravan party of 12 ladies with whom I journeyed to my destination. On the day we left Hokitika rain was falling heavily and we were compelled to pull up at Ross, where we spent the night. We thoroughly enjoyed the caravan life and the hospitality of the people we met en route was something to be remembered. We left Ross the following day and proceeded through splendid bush avenues to Fergusson's and over the Waiata river, passing Lakes lanthe, Waihapa and Mapourika. “We forded the little Wanganui liver and the road then climbed to wards Mount Hercules. The Waitangi river being in flood we stopped at Wataroa school and camped for -the night. Next morning the weather having improved we forded the river. The scenery continued to be magnificent and we had a splendid run to the Waiho Gorge Hotel. The , following day, joining a party of 21, with guides and all equipped with ice boots and alpine stocks, I traversed the threemile track through the bush to the glacier face, climbing fully a mile, i No one can describe the glittering white ice of the Franz Josef with its beautiful forest border glittering with waterfalls and the rata trees in full bloom. One cannot describe the shades of colour as seen on the pinnacles and in the crevices of the ice. It must be left to the realisation of the tourist. Returning, the hot springs are passed and hot soda baths have been provided for the convenience of tourists.” On the return journey Mrs Torstonson again drove her car, journeying through, the lower Buffer Gorge to Westport and thence to Nelson by the same route. At Kumara she met’ an old gold-miner 92 years of age who was going blind and chatted with him about the old days. An interesting series of views were exhibited to the reporter, being fully explained by Mrs Torstonson. “My trip was a. real education,” she concluded, “and I advise all who can to take it. We New Zealanders do not know enough of our own country.”