THE NATIONAL PARK.

Otago Witness, Issue 2762, 20 February 1907, Page 48

THE NATIONAL PARK.

PROJECTED VISIT.

Dating from the western districts (tioufhland), a correspondent writes: — "I am now en route to these western wilds— spending a mouth or bix weeks' holiday at that national inheritance yclept in official form "The People's Park." Our door of entrance thereinto ha< been arranged as follows — Arming by rail at Waihoaka, we take up our bed (blanket.-,) and walk round the coastline to a sheltered nook named Green Isles. The distance is said to he 60 mile* The first day's journey should bring us to the mouth of Wairaurahiri — drainage eystem from Lake Hauroto — at which a Government hut and wire rope caging for crossing the stream have been erected. Thenoe we proceed along the track — a made track — crossing Waitutu (which draino Lake Poteriteri) in another -wire-rope fixing. Half-way between that and Patupo we purpose camping for a day or two so as to augment the fresh food supplies. This is another of these hut 6iations. Here we will be close on the sea cliffs 80 to 100 feet high. I have seen these cliffs under the boom of a stiff south-wester, and the eight was well worth witnessing The third section of the journey includes the aforesaid Patupo (Big RN'er), which drains a tidal lake of that name. The river crossing has been provided for by boat. Pushing on, we should reach Green Isles without much trouble. From Green Isles wo get by an engined craft to Cromarty, thence to Cuttle Cove and Long Sound, landing at Last

* Cove. A land journey of a few miles takes us through to Cliff Cove at the head of Canaris. Meantime the craft, with swags, etc.. will proceed by Gulehe's Head to Chalky, and on reaching Cliff Cove, at which a tourist hut has been built, the party will again embark, making for Lake Cove at the head of Edtvardson's. There we get into what the Survey Department describes as '* unexplored territory." Assisted by Southland's exceedingly courteous land commissioner. I have made careful computations thereof, and the conclusion arrived at is that the bridle-track, Supper Cove in Dusky to the Western Arm, Lake * Manapouri, at or near the base of Mount Solitary, cannot be more than 20 miles across this unexplored tract in a direct line. In that- case the entire distance to Manapouri figures out at 45 miles. The district road inspector went over the bridle track a few weeks ago, and he reports it in fdirly good condition, and gives it as his opinion we cannot possibly miss it.