A MOTOR TRIP

Otago Witness, Issue 3500, 12 April 1921, Page 43

A MOTOR TRIP

DUNEDIN PARTY ON TOUR. ( An interesting motor trip to the West Coast and tuck was recently made by Air H. L. fcjproseu and a party from Dunedin, a great deal of ground being covered, and a most enjoyable tour resulting. Writing of his trip, ivlr Sprosen says: We left Dunedin in a Buick six at 10 a.m. with Air W. Keen at the wheel, and arrived at Oamaru in time for dinner. The roads en route were in a very fair condition. In the afternoon we went on to Timaru, where we stayed at the Dominion Hotel for the night. Leaving Timaru in the morning, we took the road around Geraldine, as the main road was very rough. The Selivyn was quite dry and the road through it good. We arrived in Christchurch at 5.15 p.m., and stayed for a day at the Occidental Hotel, alter which we motored to Springfield, where we placed the car on a truck (you have to order the truck from Christchurch the previous day). The trip on the train to Arthur’s Pass is very interesting. Some cars go right through from Springfield to Arthur’s Puss, but the roads are very rough. Two Hudson cars went through the day we were there, but cut a new tyre to pieces and had several punctures, so I think it is better to take the train. At Arthur’s Pass it is an interesting sight to watch the coaches arriving, .piled high with luggage and passengers. After allowing four of the coaches to start up the hill we made a start. The surface of the road is good, and the grade steep, with some very sharp bends, but with careful driving there is no danger. Having some of the coaches in front and some behind, we were able, to get a good view. Arriving at the ton of the hill, the view is magnificent. Going down the hill careful driving is necessary, as there arc some hairpin bends. We put the car in low gear, and went down the hill at five or six miles an hour. The horses go down at a trot, to keep clear of the coach. An interesting event took place the week before we arrived. A new horse tried its best to go over the cliff, and a passenger had to jump out and hold the horse, while others cut the traces. The scene as you drive down the hill is wonderful, waterfalls, mountain daisies, the ribbon wood, and the rata making a fine combination of colour. Dr Bathgate, of Otira, kindly made arrangements for us to see the tunnel, which may be completed about the end of this year. Getting aboard the electric trolley, we rode about two miles to the mouth of the tunnel.® Here we donned son’-wester hats, oilskins, and gum hoofs, this being necessary, as it is very wet inside the tunnel. In places the water oours down, occasionally causing trouble. We were taken on the electric trolley about three miles and a-half into the tunnel, and then walked about a-qnarter of a mile. We were shown the method of timbering, concreting and drilling. Most of the tr : ed the ; r hands at the compressed air dr’ll, and afterwards 25 charges were fired, this coving us all a thrill, as there was 800 to 1600 feet of rock nbovo us. The tunnel is right through on the lower tier (it is a compliment to the surveyors that when the workmen met there was a difference of only three-eu.arters of an inch), but the upper part wib take some time yet. A n electric train will, run through the tunnel. After running ut> to the month of the tunnel in the mcnirr to take some photoeraohs. we left for Hokitika. The road is good and is lined bv thousands of blackberry bushes, laden with fruit, and as this was quite rine we were able to help ourselves. The bush scenery end the river make the ride vers eniovahle. In the morning we went, to T ake a picturesrme drive of shout 12 miles. After morning tea at the accommodation house we went "board the motor boat, and crossed the lake The walk up to lh° fall is a wonderful P* rr ht- m c ”"" heng-ng evorvwhare in. garlands, wblln hnndnpds of kinds of ferns grow in w’ld nmfnsTen. The fab itoep Is also n beant'f id piarht In the afternoon we left for Grevmouth, which is a nice town, far ahead of Hokitika. The roads were excellent all the way. Next morning we set out to do what is called the 12-mile drive. It is only 10 miles, but is being extended. The drive is very fine, particularly when the coast is reached. After returning we had dinner at Greymouth, and in the afternoon left for Reef ton, a small mining town with a dying apearance. In the evening we went tc see the quartz mines, which are an interesting sight, and as a rule employ a largo number of men. At present most of them are shut down, as miners cannot be procured. The following morning we made a start for Westport. Tn the Bulbr Gorge great trees and ferns line the road, the surface of which is quite pond, but a sharp look out has to he Lent for other traffic, as the road in most parts, is only wide enough for one vehicle. It is advisable to go the same way os the mail cars a .:3 the drivers of these seem to think they own the road and conic around corners at a groat speed. Reaching the punt we found it was not working, as the river was too low —lower than it has been for 17 years—so we had to go the long road, round by the bridge. Westnort is ouite an important little town, with fine shops and good roads. After dinner we left for Tnang-ahua, and then went on to Lye 11. Making an early start, next morning we came through the Upper Buller. which is very fine, but the road is very narrow and hilly, and careful driving is necessary. Just out of Lyell we were shown the scene of a very narrow escape. Owing to something going wrong at a sharp corner the two side wheels of one of the motor buses went right over the edge on to the blackberry bushes, and had it Tiot been for the latter the bus would have dropped 100 ft into the river. We had tea at Brightwater, and ran into Nelson in the cool of the, evening, stopping at the Commercial Hotel. We stayed a day to have a look at the town, and climbed the hill to see the centre stone which marks the middle of New Zealand. We also had a pleasant run up the Motuoka River road, and at the gardens on the way secured mulberries, strawberries, lemons, and nectarines, a pleasant change to cur ' local fruit. Next, morning we left for Blenheim, having dinner at Canvas Town. The town is small but exceptionally good from a business standpoint. We stayed here two days, taking a run to Picton, a picturesque little spot, on the coast, It was with feelings of regret that we made our start for home. We took the East Coast route. The scenery at first is rather poor, but ns you approach Kaikoura it becomes lovely, trees running right down to the water’s edge. Kaikoura ;s

right on the coast, and the town is divided into sections. Motorists should wire we.!, ahead for accommodation, as it is very hard to procure. The new Club Hotel is a splendid building. After leaving Kaikoura the scenery is st:Jl very fine. We staved for dinner at Cheviot, and spent three days in Christchurch. After leaving Ashburton we went to Longbeaeh as a change, and then on to Timaru for the night, Next morning we left for Waimate, went through the gorge to Kurow. and came home by Oamaru.The whole trip took 17 days, during which we had one puncture, and were favoured with lovely weather all the time the only shower being on the top of the Otira Gorge. The roads, taken as a whole, were excellent, and anyone used to driving in and around Dunedin need not feel nervous about making the trip.