NEW MOTOR ROAD

Poverty Bay Herald, Volume LXIII, Issue 18990, 15 April 1936, Page 12

NEW MOTOR ROAD

KINGSTON-QUEE-NSTOWN THE ROUTE DESCRIBED Motorists will be as charmed with their drive along the eastern shore of far-famed Wakatipu as they will be satisfied with the safety and good surface of a road which, presented certain engineering difficulties, states the Southland Times. The Devil’s Staircase litis, through Hit* stories ot mishaps there in bygone, years and through its steep and rocky appearance when viewed from the deck of the lake steamer, been regarded with a respect almost amounting to awe, hut the- road climbs it at a surprisingly easy grade, there is plenty of room lor car's to [mss, aml a strongly-built wall of rock and cement dispels! all fears ol an unwelcome fall into, the deep blue waters below. At places nearer Queenstovp there are blubs' oyer which the road runs well above the lake, but the same provision is being matlu there lor tno safety and mental comfort of the motorist. The seven miles of the road which lie between Kingston and the Staircase provide hut a foretaste, of the- exhilarating drive which is to come. Nevertheless there is,much pleasure to be derived from this early part of the journey. The I road is at no great elevation above Hie lake and possesses no corners which call I for care on the part of the motorist, who can enjoy the charming view afforded by the lake' and the brown hills which rise from its edge. The climb to the'Devil’s Staircase not only affords an excellent opportunity for looking out over the lake from a coigp of vantage but it enables one to appreciate the large amount, of rock-cutting and wall building which have been carried out on this rugged bluff. AN EASY GRADE The descent from the Staircase is made by an easy grade, and thereafter the road follows the indentation of the lake shore, sometimes bring at an elevation of a'hundred feet, sometimes almost at (he water's edge. Wye Creek, with its hydro-electric scheme and cascade, is sure, to attract motorists who arc not merely speedfiends. High up on the hillside is the pipe-line for the electricity scheme, with the power-house below the substantial bridge which was built when this new loading project- was commenced nearly 10 years ago. The name creek scarcely does justice to Ibis rushing mountain stream which at one place is a leaping cataract. The scenery is more magnificent after Wye Creek. On the rigid are the worldfamous Remarkables; below are the rich blue waters of the lake; to (lie left arc Mount Dick and Cecil Peak, reflected in the lake at their feet. For the la,st part, of the journey to Queenstown there is less grandefitr but some charming pastoral country as the road leads to the Kawarau dam, the construction cif which played no small part in bringing the road into being, providing as it did a bridge of indeterminate duration over (hi" river which (lows out. of Wakatipu.

The last four miles of the trip arc along the tree-clad, undulating main road to Queenstown, with'the Frankton arm of the lake lying placidly below.