A BOTANIZING TRIP

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume LXI, 20 May 1927, Page 2

A BOTANIZING TRIP

TO ARTHUR'S PASS AND NEIGHBOURHOOD

With the object of procuring Native plants lor distribution to members of Jbe New Zealand (Nelson) Alpine and lloc.k Garden' (-Society, ft trip' bds just. been made Ly Mr A. Wilkinson Jhoo. secretary), and Messrs J. Eraser and C. N. Wilkinson, to the mountains in the neighbourhood of Arthur's Pass, particulars of which they feel sure will be read with interest not only by members but by all who delight in the wonderful study of the plant hie ot the P'oininion.

TJio party left Nelson on 22nd April and made Ivaikoura their first stop. There they were Iho guests of the. local members of the Society until the 24th. Although time did not permit of extensive botanizing, a considerable number of alpine plants were collected on the rock faces of Mount File. To those, who have visited ibis lovely spot there is no necessity to tell of the devotion of one of its citizens (Mrs Washington) who, as a labour of love, has made and keeps in order the "Garden of Memories" around the Soldiers' Memorial. The Society is presenting Mrs Washington with a collection of plants and shrubs for the Garden as a slight acknowledgement, of her kindness to the party. CliYislchureh was reached on Sunday night, and two days were spent among the many members, but if was impossible to visit all. While there a morning was put in with Mr Young, curator of the Botanical Gardens, and an inspection made of the wonderful improvements he is effecting in the Rock Garden. During the coming winter the Society intend sending many , things from their Nelson rockery* to assist in! a. small way in beautifying another one and anticipate receiving in return plants I at. present, wanting'in their collection. I

I].\PVY HUNTING GROUND

On 27th April a. mrtve was made lo headquarters at Castlehill. Many may never have heard of the place: but as Conway Castle iii North Wales is the meeting place of our great painters, so Castlehill is the happy hunting ground for many of our notable botanists. Castlehill is situated on the old West Coast road about 20 miles west of Springfield, and takes its name from a huge mass of rocks piled up upon a commanding rise, which at first sight might well be taken for the ruins of an old castle. Leaving Springfieldithe road enters the mountains and after climbing over Porter's Pass at an elevation of 3000 feet drops to Lake Lyndon. From Lake Lyndon a rough road leads to Lake Coleridge. Beyond Lake Lyndon several nasty creeks have to be forded, but as there had been no rain for a long time those were negotiated, without much difficulty and Castlehill reached. There a comfortable bungalow had been pla<~ ed at the disposal of the parly by a Christchurch member. From this centre alpine ranges could be ascended on every hand, and as Castlehill lies at- about 2500 feet above sea level it was fairly ; easy to reach- 4000 or 5000 feet wliei'e alpine plants were found growing in profusion. The following evening a snowfall set in and lasted for 36 hotira, covering the ground to a, depth of about six inches. The scene of the showclad ranges completely encircling the nouse was mag-1 nificent. Although the snowfall rendered botanizing on the. heights impossible, little inconvenience was experienced up to 4000 or 5000 feet, since the hot sun soon melted the snow dn the lower country, and a large collection of alpihe plants was obtained.

AT ARTHUR'S PASS

After a week's stay the party moved on to Arthur's Pass, but as the latter stage of the eld road was reported to be impracticable for cars owing to slips and washouts a return had to be made to Springfield where the car was entrained from Arthur's Pass. The new; hostel at Arthur's Pass is a most comfortable home, besides being an excellent centre for botanists, and the proprietor is always willing to assist with advice any one staying there. The beauties of the Pass and Otira Gorge are known to many but the district is also of tremendous interest to the collector of plants, as every inch of the ground ;ieem.s to be covered with them. Shortly after entering t.he Pass "The Devil's Punch Bowl" comes into view, a waterfall descending in a cloud of spray from an immense height into a gloomy ravine. The walk up the creek on a fine afternoon is entrancing when the gun streaming into the gorge throws a brilliant rainbow across the fall and illuminates tho chasm with an enchantment of colour. Further on one comes to the foot of the Bealey Glacier, and thanks to the endeavours of Mr Butler, a track has been cut through the bush to the edge of the moraine, rendering the climb to the glacier fairly easy. There opens to view an immensity of forest and tremendous cliffs with the everlasting isnows of Mt Rolleston (7,500 ft), 5000 ft above. No words, or camera, or brush can give any hint of the real charm of this place. It is a perfect treasury of the greenest possible mosses, ferns, astelias, veronicas, and banks of ranunculus, which in their flowering season are the admiration of all. Tiny leaved Coprosma Brunnea with its stems hugging the ground and covered with pale blue, jewel-like drupes. Everywhere one sees the ''Mountain Primroses" (Ourisias). Every slope and bank of the Pass is thickly covered with these gentle, flower towers. Then in all parts one finds quantities of Senecios: these love the creeks and often lino them with bloom. Tho mountain Bell flower (Wablenbergia Saxicola) are in thousands: but what catches the eye on every hand are the "Mountain Daisies" (Celmisia). All are beautiful, but Celmisia Coriacea" stands out about all, with its silvery stem. If the lily is Queen of our alpine flowers, this must be the king. Thesejjrow in Spooner's and other ranges, but' here in Arthur's Pass they grow into big clumps with wonderful foliage. At this season of (.lie year few flowers were in bloom, but Gcntiana oorymbifera still bloomed in all its beauty: a pure white flower not unlike a large sno'wdrop. The beau, tiful Alpine Geum uniflorum were seen. Qlearias, Ratas, Noinei are found in different parts of the, Pass: and so, in the midst of millions of such flora, plants have been procured and brought home for distribution to members of the Societv in all parts of New Zealand.

THE RETURN JOURNEY

The time spent in Arthur's Pass and Dtira was far too short, but, a return is to be made at some, future date to explore the many parts untouched, and so add to the collection. During the, run down the Oiira gorge a Chamois sprang across in front of the car and away across the river, which added to the interest of the wonderful scene. On emerging

from the Goi"? the entrance, to the tunnel i.n seen and coon ofiin- is reached 'Villi its power house and railway .station. What a transformation—from the sublimity of Mature in the grime and bustle, of man! A busy spot : (be station covering a big area, with well-built houses around, and traffic coming and going continually. Arthur's Pass and Otira must in time become important, centres. At. Easter, Christ church sent one thousand five hundred people to visit this enchanting spot by a cheap railway fare of only 10/- return. Otira was left with a car heavily laden in addition tofnnr cases which had been sent, on from Springfield. The 750 miles covered on the trip was done without mishap or a tyre puncture.