MILFORD SOUND ROAD

Southland Times, Issue 23128, 19 February 1937, Page 4

MILFORD SOUND ROAD

VALUE AS SCENIC DRIVE MINISTER IMPRESSED (From Our Special Reporter) TE ANAU, February 18. The opinion that the Te Anau-Mil-ford Sound road and the HollyfordLake McKerrow road, when completed, would provide ope of the finest scenic drives in the world, was expressed by the Minister of Public Works (the Hon. R. Semple), who drove from Te Anau to the site of the Homer funnel yesterday. Although this was the Minister’s first visit to that region from the eastern side, he had previously flown over the West Coast portion of it, and he was immensely impressed with the potential value of the roads, not only as tourist attractions, but also as a means of enabling New Zealanders to know their own country. “At present this district suffers from its isolation and from the severe winter experienced,” said the Minister, “but it is my opinion that when these two roads are completed they will create a wonderful national asset. Apart from attracting tourists, they will give the people of New Zealand an opportunity of seeing one of the wonder spots of the world. Not one person in 10,000 in New Zealand can realize the magnificence of the scenery that will be opened up, because as yet it is impossible to obtain a comprehensive view of the region except by air, but I have seen enough to convince me that the work we are now pursuing is well worth while from a national point of view.” The Minister commended the work of the engineers and the men engaged in the Eglinton and Hollyford districts. He said they were working under'difficult conditions, which were accentuated by isolation and wet weather, and were giving a good account of themselves. He was impressed with the type of men working on the job. Different Types of Scenery

At the present time the Te AnauMilford road is completed for motor traffic to a point within two or three miles of the tunnel site, and it offers to the visitor three completely different types of. scenery between Te Anau and the Homer Saddle. For nearly the first 20 miles it skirts the shores of Lake Te Anau, and then turns off into the Eglinton Valley where it runs almost completely through picturesque beech forest before entering the Hollyford valley. From that point to the saddle the road winds among mountains of impressive height and then climbs to the tunnel mouth, which is 3000 feet above sea level. On every hand magnificent mountain views may be obtained, and while this is already a popular scenic drive with visitors to the South Island, it is not difficult to imagine how much more freely it will be used when the completed tunnel through the , Homer Saddle affords direct access to and from Milford Sound.

Approximately 250 men are at present employed on the road construction work and in the tunnel, and as many of them have their wives and families living with them, they make a little community, which, although isolated, does not lack a number of the' facilities which are enjoyed by persons living in more populous localities. Certainly luxury does not find a place anywhere in the valley, but in the essential requirements of life the people have been provided for to as great an extent as possible by the Public Works Department. Supply of Provisions

Soundly constructed tents and huts provide the workers and. their families with shelter, and it will be readily conceded that adequate housing is essential when it is realized that during the 48 days which have elapsed in the present year, more than 43 inches of rain have fallen at the Homer camp. An excellent bakery and a well-appointed butcher’s shop, which is stocked from farms in the Te Anau district, enable the people to be well served with bread and meat, while their groceries are supplied from stores conducted by the department. There is also a hospital, which has fortunately not been greatly used up to the present time, and associated with it is a dispensary where medicinal aid for minor ailments may be obtained. A small library has been in operation for some time, but, in keeping with the policy enunciated by Mr Semple, this will shortly be stocked with books which will provide the workers not only with light recreational reading, but also with literature of a ' more serious nature, which will enable them to keep abreast of modem trends and happenings. For a considerable part of the year only indoor recreation is possible—table tennis is a popular pastime during these months—but the men have recently secured a quantity of cricket gear, and teams have been organized 1 for a cricket tournament, which is to be held at Cascade creek tomorrow. Since the occasion is to be a community one, sports have been arranged for those not taking part in the cricket, and it is reported that a baby show is also to be held. Judging by certain evidences today, there should be no lack of competition for that event. Up to the present direct educational facilities have not been available in the Hollyford valley, but as there are sufficient children of school age, the Education Department has agreed to the establishment of a school there, and this should be a welcome institution. Consideration is at present being given to the selection of a suitable site for the school, which will be erected in a position where there is no possibility of danger from avalanches.