MR ELL WANTS TO FINISH SIGN OF TAKAHE TEAHOUSE.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 18963, 9 January 1930, Page 16

MR ELL WANTS TO FINISH SIGN OF TAKAHE TEAHOUSE.

Has Planned Much Work On Summit Road This Near.

(Contributed by 11. G. Ell.) Already there exists a formed pathway from a point on the hillside, west of the Remarkable Dykes, up to the Pack-horse, and beyond the Pack-horse towards the Tongue Bush. This pathwav was formed in 1917, and had become very much overgrown; however, this has been cleared off and the formation extended for about twenty chains, and the grade laid down for a further extension to within a mile of the big Herbert Peak bush. The Summit Road pathway has now been graded to within about two miles of the old Purau Track, on the Port Levy-Kaituna Pass. From the present formed pathway to the Purau Track is about three miles, but the pathway will have to be made through three good-sized areas of native bush. When the formation of this pathway is completed, a way will be available for pedestrians from the Sign of the “ Taka he” right through to Akaroa; this will make a beautiful and interesting walk. On reaching the Pigeon Bay Saddle, the Akaroa Summit Road may be taken to the Hill-Top, or a descent may be made to Duvauchelle Bay, from where a motor-boat to Akaroa may be taken. This will make a beautiful and interesting walk. When the pathway is laid off the whole wav the distances will be marked every mile, and the altitudes taken; all this will add interest to this new way over the hills to Akaroa, and the parts of the pathway which run through the native bush will lend additional charm to the walk. Refreshments can be obtained at the road-side houses —at the “Sign of the Takahe,” at Cracroft Hill, at the “ Sign of the Kiwi.” Dyer’s Pass, at the “ Sign of the Bell-Bird,” Kennedy's Bush, and

at the “ Sign of the Pack-Horse,” ten miles from Kennedy’s Bush. The final stage bringing the walker to the HillTop or Duvauchelle Bay is about twelve miles. ROAD SIDE HOUSES. With such a long stretch of road through open country, these road-side houses .make a very necessary part of the Summit Road scheme—places for refreshment, and, at the more remote parts of the road, places for accommodation: such is the “Bell-Bird” at Kennedy’s Bush, and the “ Sign of the Pack-Horse,” on the Ivaituna Pass, both of which houses are quite isolated, being miles away from the nearest house. There is yet much to do. There is the “Sign of the Kiwi” to complete, the “Sign of the Bellbird” to complete, and the “Sign of the Pack-horse" to complete, but these works T have determined shall stand aside until the “Sign of the Takahe” is completed. This is the most important of the chain of roadside houses, as upon the earnings of the “Sign of the Takahe” depend the success of the whole work. The importance of the Takahe reserves cannot be too highly estimated; on any fine afternoon the people of Christchurch crowd and enjoy the pretjy hillsides in the neighbourhood of the Takahe. This is an aspect of these reserves which will appeal to all parents and thoughtful people; but, without the “Takahe” earnings, these lands cannot t>e saved to the people. Then there is the special object for which I have striven to have this house built; namely, that after it has discharged the debt on itself and on the land for reserves round about it, the whole of the profits are pledged to go towards the maintenance and improvement of the Summit Road and path-

way's. That is why I am so very anxious, and why 1 am concentrating on the completion of the building, decoration and furnishing of the “Sign of the Takahe.” THE SUMMIT ROAD. With the completion of the Summit Road down to Gebbie’s Pass, there will be opened up a very beautiful drive right from the “Sign of the Takahe,” a distance of ten miles. For the past y'ear a man lias been constantly' engaged in putting and keeping in repair the Summit Road, between the “Sign of the Kiwi” and Morten’s Bush. The heavy rains which fell on the new formation made by' the Public Works Department between Kennedy’s Bush and Morten’s Bush at Cooper’s Knobs was badly cut up, and the drains were blocked by' the many slips. This had to be attended to; otherwise the road would have been unusable. As it is, a great many cars have already reached Morten's Bush, which is on the Summit Road directly above Otahuna. It will need constant attention to keep this section of the Summit Road open to traffic, and a great effort will be needed to metal the road. To this very necessary work I intend to apply' my energies and redouble my efforts in the immediate future.