THE TUTOKO VALLEY.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 19020, 16 November 1923, Page 3

THE TUTOKO VALLEY.

EXPLORATION WORK. MR TURNER'S EXPEDITION. (FeOM Oue Own COERKSrONDENT.) QUEENSTOWN. November 14. Mr Samuel Turner. F.R.G.S., Wellington, the most ardent of New Zealand mountaineers and explorers, whose four expeditions into the region of Mount Tutoko hare resulted in the discovery of some of the finest alpine scenery in the world, is about to make .another excursion into these solitudes that are guarded by immense iceholds and perpetual snows. In April of this year Mr Turner paid his last visit to the Tutoko Valley, and on that occasion he made many discoveries in that district, the most important of which was a practicable pass which, when developed, will enable tourists to make a complete tour round the Tutoko group of mountains to Milford Sound and back over the Milford Sound track. By this route there would bo no river which it would he necessary to cross on foot. Leaving Queenstown for Elfin Bay and traversing the Greenstone and Hollyford Valleys, the rivers bearing those names could bo crossed on horses, and the Pike by a boat or horses. A boat would take horses arcoss the head of Lake M‘Ker row, and from there the journey would be continued up through the Tutoko icefields and on to the tunnel hut. The tunnel suggested by Mr Turner would he pierced from the right, side of the Tutoko River, and the tourist would have no difficulty whatever in accomplishing the complete journey from Dunedin and back in 14 days without getting his feel wet. Last evening Mr Turner arrived in Queenstown, and ho was sought out by your correspondent in the hope of learning his movements. Mr Turner explained that his mission on this occasion was different in character from his four previous excursions into the mountain fastnesses of Tutoko, Proceeding, he stated that at the time of his expedition Inst year he attempted to get on the high country from the Hollyford side in order to climb the second highest peak in the region, and this led to all the wonderful discoveries as already described in the daily press of New Zealand. Ho was taking with him a highly qualified surveyor and geologist in order that this country might bo placed on the map and that geological observations might be made. In addition to this an expert kinematograph operator, subsidised by tbc Government, was accompanying them, and an assistant was being supplied by Mr Turner himself. They were going to attempt to film a unique picture for the Empire Exhibition on behalf of the Publicity Department of the dominion. If they were successful (and ho had every reason to expect they would be), the newly-discovered country connecting the Tutoko Valley with the Hollyford Valley would present, icefields, snowfields, and glaciers that for magnitude and grandeur would surpass anything of the kind in the two hemispheres. This magnificent scenery, too, would be easily accessible. Mr Turner added, however, that his experience in coming through Queenstown and down the Greenstone and Hollyford track led him to think that, some great improvements would have to be effected to make it popular. But he is certain that boats will be chartered to sail from Australia right in to the head of Lake M'Kerrovv. by which moans Australian tourists could get to the icefields of Tutoko in five, days This particular country presents the most difficult work of exploration it, is possible tcJ find. In it. said Mr Turner, the alpinist could spend months with very little to show for his time. This expedition will be the fifth Mr T urner has conducted between the Tutoko side and the Hollyford side of the Tutoko-ITolly-ford region. The party will consist of seven persons, all specially qualified in one respect or another for the duties they are undertaking. Mr Turner is actually the only climber among them, thus showing that ho considers the placing of this newly-discovered country on the maps and the picturising of it of more importance than exploring the few remaining peaks. Altogether Mr Turner has scaled 10 peaks in that district, and on showing the most reliable existing maps to the Surveyorgeneral in Wellington the latter agreed that the peak nearest the Hollyford is Mount Tutoko, which giant Mr Turner climbed in 1920. It appears the department voted a sum of money this year for exploration work <in this region, but the right man could not be secured, hence .Mr Turner’s 'reason for obtaining the services of a professional surveyor, whom he is fitting out and intends to train as a mountaineer. It may be regarded, therefore, as a purely amateur expedition, equipped and financed by Mr Turner-all except the subsidy to be paid by the Publicity Department of New Zealand. The party left Queenstown this morning, and will probably be awav three months, the duration of the enterprise being governed by the weather and a variety of ether circumstances.