SOUTHERN SCENIC SPOTS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XLIV, Issue 13409, 11 February 1907, Page 6

SOUTHERN SCENIC SPOTS.

SELECTING ROUTES FOR TOURISTS. [BY TELEGRAPH. — OWN' CORRESPONDENT.] Dunkdin", Saturday. Mr. T. Mackenzie, M.H.R., who, with two of his .sons and a .small party, recently explored the country between Te Anati and Wakatipu with the object of selecting a likely track for tourists, informed a Star reporter to-day that as fai as the country is concerned the greater part of it- is high and rough, with extensive forests in the valleys and remarkably beautiful scenery. The passes traversed crossed several high points, and the party wanted to find a practical tourist route that would not be too difficult or hazardous. "In all," said Mr. Mackenzie, " we went over seven passes at considerable elevations, and obtained commanding views of the country. The result is that we picked out three possible routes. The one commending itself most to me includes quite a number of .small and beautiful lakes, and utilises a considerable extent of bridle, track leading to Mai tin's Bay. The Kglinton River can be followed for some distance, and then departure is taken over a saddle about 300 it above the Kglinton Valley, and 4200 ft above the sea. Here alternative routes present themselves. The best route, we thought, was one following one of (lie principal branches of the Nurse Creek, and crossing a low .saddle leading to the headwaters of TeAnau. If this track were formed Holyford Valley, with all its magnificent scenery, would be within reach of the tourist, and" this would open up and profitably settle the good land about Martin's Bay, and develop the timber trade in that neighbourhood. Most, of the country is admirably adapted for adding to a national park for the preservation of fauna and flora, and for the liberation on it of deer, chamois, and other game." Mr. Mackenzie states that for the first time in New Zealand he saw flint in its natural state, specimens of it being found in some of themorains encountered en route. Another very interesting historical discovery was that of some Maori implements in and about wind appeared almost like a. quarry, where stonecutting by this crude means had be'-n going on, the whole giving evidence of Maori life .'here, at some unknown period.