A HOLIDAY MOTOR TOUR

Otago Daily Times, Issue 16591, 14 January 1916, Page 7

A HOLIDAY MOTOR TOUR

By Wagges.

A vwry pleasant and particularly interesting motor trip was undertaken during the reccnt holidays by a party of live— viz., Mr and Mrs Chas. Jones (Messrs Packer and Jones), of Christchurch, and Messrs N. and J. 0. Anderson and J. A. Robinson, of Dunodiu. Leaving Christchurch at 2.30 p.m. on Christmas Day in Mr Jones's iive-s&ater Buick car, they set off in a westerly direction across the plains. After Springfield had been passed, the hills •were entered, and the long and stoop ascent over Porter's Pass (3200 ft high) was accomplished without difficulty. Tho route was then through the mountainous district towards Bealey—Lakes Lyndon, Pearson, and Grasmere being passed on the way. Ilemmod in by immense mountains of rock, tho road winds along tho river valleyH, crossing and rocrossing tho streams several times. After the numerous creeks and rivers had been 6uccc6sfally negotiated, an easy run past Cass and along tho Wairnakiriri River bank brought us to Bealey Ulacier Hotel—a run of 85 miles in 4i hours. Next day the river had to be crossed. This was accomplished with tho aid of a team of horses, which towed the oar through the stream. On the road up the Bealey Gorge some fine scenery is to be observed on all sides, but all wero getting anxious to cross the boundary line into Wostland to see the famous Otira Gorge. Soon tho summit of the gorgo was readied, and thero some time was spent in admiration of the wonderful panorama of scenery on all sides. The descent down tho beautiful gorge was taken easily, so that no beauty spot would bo passed unnoticed, and several stops wore necessary to gratify the wishes of tho party. Tho immense snow-capped mountains, waterfalls high up on tho hillsides, and the splendid bush brightened by tho rata trees in full bloom, form a picture practically indescribable, and must bo seen to be appreciated. On the road through Otira an obstacle in tho shape of Kelly's Creek was met with. When tho car was almost through the stream tho engine was stopped through water getting in. The male members of the party, however, waded in and soon had tho car on "terra firma" again. Tho next part of the journey was through tho most beautiful bush country. The lonely fern drive of some miles in length is quiio beyond description. Kuinara was passed at high speed, and Gxeymouth roached in time for dinner. An easy day being decided on for the morrow, Hokitika and Lake Kanieri wero visited. This beautiful little lake was well worth tho trip. It is quite within easy reach of Hokitika, and should become a famous tourist resort. As it is surrounded on all sides by bush-covered mountains and being suitable far boating, the enjoyment to bo obtained from a visit to it is considerable. Next day we decided to make for Westport {100 miles), and left Greymouth at midday. Tho route took us through the coal mining districts of Brunnerbon and Ngahere, and later through Reefton and thence down the lo\ycr part of tho renowned Buller Gorge. The beauties along this drive are too well known to require mention —there is too much to be seen on a short drive through. The winding road on the banks of the river and round the rocky ledges was skilfully negotiated by Mr Jones at a good speed. Westport was reached at 7 p.m. Perhaps the most interesting day of tho tour was the next, when tho town that is built on the roof of Now Zealand—Denniston, 2000 ft above sea level—was visited. The road climbs to Denniston in a distance of seven miles, but the ear, though weighted by an extra passenger, made light of the corkscrew road, and ascended the heights in good time, and then halted in the streets of Burnett's Face .while some of the coal mining works were inspected. At Denniston a visit was made to the Westport Coal Company's immense works. The manager (Air Brown) received us, and went to no end of trouble to render the visit particularly educational and interesting. A run through to Granity, the sate of other coal mines, and Millerton, and back to Westport made all feel that the West Coast has wonderful resources, and that a holiday there will provide much enjoyment and interest to anyone who can take the trip. The next day was spent quietly—a run by train to Cape Foulwind being enjoyed, while in\ the afternoon Charleston was visited in tho car. A start was mado from Westport at 10 a.m. next day, the road to Nelson being followed. This took us through the Lower Buller Gorge again, and then on up through the Upper Gorgo. The road follows the river for a distance of something like 50 miles, and, as the scenery en route is of the finest in the dominion, liot a second of time was dull. Eventually Hie head of the gorgo was reached, and a \ie run through tho splendid farming ooun- ! N-y around Murchison was enjoyed. This \striet is in a very prosperous condition, the grass being knee-deep, and the stock levelling in it. Glenhopo Saddle has to bo crossed, but again the car practically flew up the hills and down the other sido along tiio valley into the hop-growing district of iNelson. Here again are signs of rich harvests —barley, oats, wheat, and fruit fields looking their very best. Nelson itself was reached at 7 p.m., the latter 40 miles of the 140 covered being travelled in a little over an hour. A run out through the Moutero Hills to Motueka and lliwaka on tho morrow gave one an insight into tho future possi-bilites of the fruit-farming industry. The new crckaras in that district extend in all directions, and give promise of prosperous times tahead for tile owners. Passing on to Blenheim on Sunday, we are met ou all sides by rich harvest fields. Nearly every crop has been cut, and tho iarmers were very busy in building up their Uacks. It was particularly noticed tliat all <ho crops in the Nelson and Marlborough provinces had been very heavy. The tillers of tho soil are well satisfied with their season's results. Sheep and other stock' are also in exceptionally good condition, and altogether everything points to a record season in tho north. Further evidence of the wealth of the Blenheim district was obtained by a day spent at the Summerlands Station (Mr lludd), and some idea of tho class and quality of wool grown in the district was gained. Tho next day was spent by a trip to Picton, an easy run of about 20 miles bringing us to that pretty little town. Opportunity was taken to have a spin round Queen Charlotte Sound on an oil launch, the scenery being very fine, indeed. Our time being now almost exhausted, it was decided to make an early start for Christchurch in tho morning, and at 8 a.m. we set off. When two hours out we had our first and only experience of the tour of having to stop on tho roadside for repairs, a punctured tyro delaying progress for half an hour. The route took us through Ward and Seddon districts, which, along with North Canterbury, havo suffered severely from drought. The contrast between tho prosperous and flourishing Nelson and Blenheim farms and those in North Canterbury was very noticeable. Kaikoura was passed through, and the inland route then taken, somestiff hills having to be negotiated. No difficulty was experienced, however, in overcoming them and in crossing tho rivers. The notable Hapuka River was safely forded by the engine's power, quite unaided. Onco out on the Canterbury i Plains, some fast running was made, the ! speedometer registering up to 52 miles an hour. 'Christchurch was reached at 7 p.m., tho long run of 227 miles having been accomplished in eight hours and a-quarter j actual running time. i Throughout the tour splendid weather ; was enjoyed, rain being met with once only. S The roads wore in good order, and, as the | rivers and creeks wero reasonably low, no serious obstacles prasented themselves. The § car covered nearly 1100 miles, over monn- jj tains, through rivers and crocks, and over \ all classes of road? arul hills, without a su,g- ? gestion of an acc'dent or hitch. j To motorists who desire to have a motor- jj ing tour through some of the finest scenery ;; in New Zealand, such a trip a* h:\s born f described will, given fine weather, prove \ the best from every standpoint, and will be % quite an education of great benefit.