POSSIBLE ROUTES.

Otago Witness, Issue 2762, 20 February 1907, Page 80

POSSIBLE ROUTES.

There are three routes possible to Te Ajiau. The shortest way is that which follows very closely on Birley's first route. That, however, crosses the two somewhat high saddles. The alternative to that is to follow the Greenstone to Lake How den, and then proceed by Lakes Fergus and Gunn to the Eglinton Valley, following the river for about eight miles, and after crossing Murcott River, rising some 3200 feet to Birley's saddle, then zigzagging down the branch of Nurst> Cre^k, which rises below Birley's siddle, then by taking a grade to run out as nearly as possible to cross the saddle behind Foliage Point, and then gradually down to the head of Lako Te Anau. The third route, which pome day will be largely used, is to follow the same course as stated in the second suggestion, but, instead of rising after crossing the Murcott Burn to Birl<*y'<s saddle, to follow the course of the grand valley of the Eglinton right down to the lake. The distance of that route will be greater, but easier, and will traverse a great extent of beautiful scenery. The road would lead through the Greenstone Valley to Lake Howden, and it would be necessary to improve the- grade of the track or, better still, form the road as far as Lake Howden that was surveyed some years ago from Elfin Bay, Wakatipu, to Milford Sound. Every penny of the expenditure made on that track would lead to and help to open up three different points of great importance. Lake Howden is 22 miles from WaEatinu. These 22 miles lead to Martin* Bay, where there is country suitable for settlement, if connections is established, and uh«ye a great timber and flax trade could be established. Lake Howden is also the centre from which the road must be taken leading to the vertical wall that at present' blocks the way into the grand Milford Sound. A very able report on this =übiect wa.s, in 1890, maclo by Mr R. W. Holmes, C.E., to the Engineer-in-chief for the colony, in which he declares that the HoKford route to Milford is superior to that via Te Anau. The only practical way wa6 via Homers saddle, wbero an earthquake had occurred, capsizing the ridge-top into HolyfoH Valley and forming a mass of debris which reached only at one place to the top of the ridje. It was heie that Quill was lost. The whole route scorns designed by Nature for road construction purposes. A tunnel 400 yards long on a descending grade would reach- the Cleddau Valley on the Milford Sound side at 1300 feet above sea \c\o\, which is the height of the Cleddau at that place. A tunnel fix feet wide and eight feet high would cost £5 a yard to make. The approaches would also cost a good deal. The scenery in the HoMord rannot be surpassed in the world. The Holyford Valley abo\e the left hand branch consists of a gorge bounded by precipices varying in height ud to 5000 feet above 'the river, and wholly unsaleable, except where the two saddles exist at the head It follows round the base of Mt. Christina, *ppan?nth- perfectly jnacccssable. The lowest slacier, in the vicinity of the proposed tunnel, in the sunshine w 5300 feet above sea level. From thc*e figures it will be realised how magnificent is tho scenery in that region, and how desirable it • is to form a road leading- to so mij>ortant a scenic centre a« Lake Howden.