RAKAIA PASS.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 1123, 26 July 1865, Page 5

RAKAIA PASS.

(From the Canterbury Prest.)

The following report by Mr Cahill to Mr Sale on the Ilakaia route, was received by the Government on Saturday by the overland mail, and has been kindly placed at our disposal for publication by the Secretary for Public Works: —

Report on Reconnaissance Survey of Road between Ilokitikaand the Northeast branch of the Rakaia. Ilokitika, June 26, IBGS. To G. S. Sale, Esq., Commissioner.

Sir —Pursuant to the instructions conveyed in your letter of the Ist June, I have, accompanied by Mr Griffith, inspected the new line of road lately explored by Messrs Browning and Griffith, between Ilokitika and the Rakaia river, for the purpose of ascertaining how far, and at what cost, the same might be made available for traffic, and have the honor to report. Ist. The new route lies along the Flokitika river as far as the Forks or confluence of the Kokatahi, thence along this latter river to the junction of its north-east or left hand branch, which I have named the Styx. Following up this stream to its source, it passes o .*er a low saddle into the head waters of the Arahura, and pursues its course along this river to the foot of the Rakaia Pass. .The total distance along this route from Ilokitika to the eastern side of pass I have estimated at about twenty-five miles, viz:— Prom Hokitika to the Forks 8 miles Forks to Sfcvx junction 7 „ Thence to the Arahura (saddle) ....« „ Thence to eastern side of Ppss 4 • „ Total.. 25 miies. 2nd. For more than half this distance, viz., from Ilokitika to the Styx junction, a good natural roadway exists, which may be made available for traffic at a very little cost. As far as the Forks the river beaches may be followed up nearly all through. These lie chiefly on the fouth bank of the river, the north bank being thickly covered with timber to the water's ed<*e as far as the Five-mile Township or junction of the Kanieri river. About two miles further up the river there is a good ford, which, except in high floods, may be crossed with safety on foot. On my re-

BY M'LANDRESS,

turn to Hokttika I waded through this ford without being anywhere more than, twelve inches in water; Thus, although in the construction of a permanent line of road, it will be advisable to follow the north bank, the shiagle beaches along the south bank will be found more available for a temporary track as far as the ford, when the shingle beaches oq the north bank maybe lollowed up as far a3 the Forks. From the Forks to the Styx junction, the river bed may be avoided, and the road taken along, nearly in a straight line, through an open and partly well-grassed flat, through which runs the dry creek. To eifect this little more would be required than the cutting down of a few patches of scrub, in all about twenty chains. Thus, fora distance of fifteen miles from Hokitika,a good dray road may be opened at a very little expense. The remaining portion, however, is more difficult, and its construction will be expensive. The stream, which I have named the Styx, is the first left-hand branch of the Kokatahi, shown on plan, and forms one of its main tributaries. It rises about two miles west of the Arahura, and runs between two leading spurs into the Kokatahi. For the greater part of its course its banks are rugged and broken by frequent streams from the hill sides, which in places rise precipitously from the water's edge, and are thickly covered with timber. The bed of the stream is generally narrow and rough, owing to the lnrge boulders through which, .he water rushes, and is, therefore, not e.;sily forded. It becomes necessary, in consequence, either to bridge the stream, or take the track up on either side of the stream without crossing ; and it will be v matter for more minute inspection which, plan should be adopted in constructing a track. This stream in about five miles in. length. At its source it spreads out iuto an open flat, partly grassed, about sixty chains long by twenty chains iv width, at the head of which lies the gap, or saddle, leading into the Arahura. This is about six hundred feet high above the bed of the Styx, the ascent from which is about one-half mile long, of easy grade, and covered with dense scrub. On top it is open and swampy, being covered with snow-grass and mosses for a length of ab.wt twenty chains or more. A small leads down iuto the A?ah> ■.-•■ a, *he ■ '--'■ which:«, >;ke the tytr-n*: r -.->ia the Styx, about onft- half mile long, of eaiy aud covered with scrub. The point at which this stream enters the Arahura is about three mile 3 below its source, at the foot of the Rakaia pas^s. Here the river runs through a:i open wellgra*sed flat, about ten chains wide, which extends upwards for a length of twenty chains, beyond which the river becomes walled in by precipitous banks, and is therefore no longer practicable. It becomes necessary, iv consequence, to get up on the hill-sides again, which are steep and rugged, and thic!:'y covered with timber. In the construction of a track it will be advisable not to descend into the river bed, but to continue along the hill aide from top of gap to the branching of the river, which lie 3 about two miles south of gap. This portion of the track will be difficult, owing to the roughnesi of the hill sides, and will require some expensive rock cuttings and crossings of streams. The point at which the river branches is particularly difficult, but by the erection of a small bridge, about fifty feat span, the western branch may be crossed, and the track taken along to the right of the eait branch, which leads in about one mile to the foot of the pass. T.'ius far there is a [ jasibiiity of constructing a good dray road. I had wished to be able to say it might be taken further, but the pass stands in the way, and forma an insurmountable barrier, over which there is no chance of taking a road. On its western, or more correctly, its northern side (for it lies north and south), it rises abruptly from the Arahura river bed, to a height of about eiijlit hundred feet, and' then at a more gentle slope for about four hundred feet more, giving a total height of about twelve hundred feet. It is about ten chains wide, and is cut off from the range on either side by two deep and rocky chasms, which prevent any possibility of making a sideling approach,. Thus it becomes necessary to go up the face of the hill, which can only be done by cutting a zig-zag track, which may be made practicable for sheep and cattle. Oa top, the pass forms- into a basin, in the centre of which is a small lake which overflows into the Arahnra. The morning on which I went up the pass with Mr Griffith, it was covered with snow to an average depth of eighteen inches, and frozen so bard in places as to bear a man's weight without breaking. In this state, I would say, it remained during the greater part of the year. Travelling over the snow for about half-a-roil?, we come to its eastern epproach, and in view of the valley of the Rakaia. Much as I had been disappointed at the approach of the Arahura, I was still more so on looking down the steep aud frozen rocks which form the ascent from the Rakaia, and I became convinced of the utter hopelessness of getting a dray track over it. There is, however, a possibility of getting a bridle track by cutting into the rock along the old waterfall to the left, looking from the Hokitika. This is all that can be attempted, and it is only ia the event of no better track being found that I should recommend it. Although dray traffic is not therefore practicable over, the Rakaia Pass, this route has the advantage of being the shortest and most direct from Hokitika ta the Eastern Plains. It muy consequently be made practicable for passengers, fop postal and escort service, and for the transmission of sheep and cattle. It will also be found well adapted for the establishment of telegraphic communication between the East and West Coasts. The cost of constructing a bridle track ten feet wide, along this route, I have estimated at about LSOOO. A sheep track I should say would be opened up for about one-tenth that amount. I enclose sketch plan of route, and Have the honor to be, Sir, Your obedient servant, 0. P. CAHmii.

HEFi:rRN v ilJ|-U-