THE GREAT ICEFIELDS OF THE GLACIERS AT FRANZ JOSEF AND THE FOX GLACIER

New Zealand Graphic, Volume XXXVI, Issue 23, 9 June 1906, Page 24

THE GREAT ICEFIELDS OF THE GLACIERS AT FRANZ JOSEF AND THE FOX GLACIER

By E. W. CHRISTMAS. Artist.) Th Franz Joeef Glacier. West Coast, Ne'.' Zealand, is said to be the most bxrutifn' glaeier known. It certainly is tte most wonderful. About eleven miles loncf. rising from some thousands cf feet, it eosues down to within seven hundred feet above sea level. It is a glorious sight to see these vast peaks of iee standing seme hundred feet and glistening in the sunlight with their border of purple and grey rocks and scarlet rataeovered hills; then away above all this stand the great vasty snow peaks and ridges of the Spenser. Drannred. Franz Josef and a score of others. Twenty miles fur titer south lies the Fox Glaeier, smaller, but in many ways just as beautiful as Franz Josef. It is easier by far of access: in faet. one ean manage to eras, it without the aid of an iee axe. Both glaciers are so far little known to ton i'-s. but lhe Tourist Department are now inaking the j*.,urney fairly easy, that by next year the trip ean be made without any ineonvenienos. The stages are easy, and accommodation is very gnc*d. The journey is made from Greymouth, via Hokitika, thence via Ross to Watho. or Franz Josef GLieier—a trip of about ■» miles, aevorupii-hed in three days by eoaea. The scenery on tine way is most beautiful, interesting, and ever changing. Comparatively few peop-e bar yet visited the district, and I am the first artist ever to have “d«me" the glaciers, and claim my large picture. "The Icefields oi the Fox Giaes ,-r,” is the first picture ever painted of that glacier. This, with others. I have been etannjissioned to paint by the New Zealand Government. and are to be exhibited at the International Exhibition. There is no dot’bt. to my mind, that these glaciers will shortly become one of the leading attractions to visitors and tourists visiting New Zealand.