THE SUMMIT ROAD.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 12175, 26 November 1917, Page 6

THE SUMMIT ROAD.

SCENIC BEAUTIES OF THE HILLS. GLIMPSES BY THE WAYSIDE. While resting on the Douglas Rock, on the harbour side of S>;gar Loaf Hill, during a walk over the 'new Mitchell Track"on Friday last. Mr H. G. Ell, M.P.. spoke enthusiastically to a "Star"' reporter of the scenic beauty of the hills which had been opened <o tbe public by means of the Summit Road, and of other ehaims of country which v.'ould be available as public resorts when the road was finally completed. " When one realises that the work of forming the road was commenced so comparatively recently as 1908, it is really astonishing, all things considered, that so much progress has been made," said Mr Ell, who desenhod the various phases of the completed and uncompleted work. There can be no question that the band of enthusiasts that made the road a possibility, tbe formation of reserves an established fact- and the opening of scenic resorts a triumph ol accomplishment. has earned the gratitude of citizens of Christchurch for all time. But for the activities of those gentlemen who have been members of the Summit Road Association, the people might easily enough have lost all chance of fulfilment of the scheme for a great high

road running from ihe Lighthouse at Lyttelton .Meads, along the top of the hills, linking up all the scenic treasures of the district, and connecting with the Akaroa road system. There is still much to be done, for the road in places is yet only surveyed and tracks blazed through the bush.

The coach drive from the, tram terminus to Kennedy's Bush and back, a distance of about ten miles, teems with. scenic interest, in which the variety is remarkable. The road has an altitude varying from 700 ft to 1600 ft, and the view changes are so frequent and so very picturesque as to be a source of continued admiration to travellers The section discloses all the principal geographical features of the hills district, Lyttelton harbour. Christchureh and its environs, and the superb plains and majestic distant ranges. Rest houses are already provided at several points, such as at Dyer's Pass, Kennedy's Bush and Kaituna. on the Port Track Saddle, above. Teddington. Plans are also being prepared ior another rest house on Mount Fitzgerald, about nine or ten miles from the Hilltop Hotel, on the Backbono Range between Pigeon Bav. Menzies Bay and Little River. This part of Mount Fitzgerald is on the original Purau track used by the early British and French settlers to reach Lyttelton. Those, settlers returned from Lyttelton to Purau by boat. They then struck the track and proceeded past Rhodes'.? Monument, round the east side of Mount Herbert to the Port Levy-Kai-tuna Saddle, where the track goes over the Backbone Range of Banks Peninsula, to the Pigeon Bay Saddle. It will interest the people of Christchurch to learn that the road at Mount Fitzgerald runs along the of a. magnificent virgin forest, covering over one hundred acres. At tins point the road will be well over 2000 feet above sea level.

"The public- of t'hrisichurch lias absolutely no idea of the wealth of beauty hidden away between the Port. Track SadclFe above Teddington, where t-ho load enters the head of the Kaitunn Valley, and the Pigeon Bav Saddle.; said Mr Ell. " Boi ween those two points no more magnificent views ean be obtained anywhere in Now Zealand. Tit the Kaitima Vallev the road will pass through .Parkinson's Bush Reserve, which includes the beautiful Tongue Bush, named because of its shape, and thence through the Herbert ■lark Hush, through which the road will run for over two miles. This bush is over ;}.")0 acres in extent, and has never had a tree taken out of it.. The roar] here, reaches an altitude of 2000 feel. After leaving the bush the road joins up with Ihe old Purau Track passes through beautiful native at the Port Lew-Little River Saddland proceeds to Mount Fitzgerald. ' "Leaving Mount, Fitzgerald, the road wdl climb over Mount Sinclair and will he over 2800 ft above sea, level! From the top of Mount Sinclair a view is obtained of Xew Brighton beach looking over the Scarborough Hill. Sumner. This is, without doubt, one of the most glorious coastal views to be seen in the Dominion. On the eastern and northern slopes of Mount Sinclair there are several pretfv patches of bush, along which the road skirts, and on the southern side there is an area of TOO acres of majestic forest.

"All these areas of bush have been hrough under the protection of the Xew Zealand Scenery Preservation Act, and all that remains to open up this beautiful scenery and recreation resorts to the people of Oliristchurch is the making of the Summit- Road in the parts mentioned, first as n walking track, and then, as it developes, to" a. road proper. When the. road is finally completed it cannot fail to become, one of the most popular drives in New Zealand, enabling tourists and residents of Christchurch to reach Akaroa by a most delightful roadway, excelling in scenic beauties and attractions."

Mr Ell mentioned that no fewer than 6000 teas had been served at the new resthouse at Dyer's Pass since the building was opened last Juno. He also referred to suggested improvements and alterations. The intention was to add to the building, so that accommodation could be provided for a limited number of guests. Mr EH believed that there would be a keen demand for accommodation and continuous residence, of guests. This scheme would result in a proper staff being kept. At present the lady in charge lias a verv! sLrenuous period on fine Saturday afternoons, after thrco o'clock, and on Sundays. Help is provided, but it is not an economical system.

Tho whole of the profits of the tea house at Dyer's Pass are being devoted to the extinction of tho debt on the house, and as the profits increase it is hoped that they will be sufficient to gradually provide the purchase money of the. Sugar Loaf Hill Reserve, which has been secured and a deposit paid. The reserve is held by the honorary trustees, Messrs W l . H. Olark frhairmr.n), R. Malcolm and E. F. Stead. The new Mitchell runs along the harbour side of Sugar Loaf, and connects with the Summit Road proper at the north-eastern end of the hill. Eor some time a track has been available on the city side, while at the foot of the ' \ ■ : ■ - -