Page:Rambles on the Golden Coast of New Zealand.djvu/145

Rh 12,000 acres of clear flat land, the finest of its kind to be seen on the West Coast, lying between the Wanganui river; the main road through this place is fifteen miles from the beach line. The Little Wanganui Valley run, of 6000 acres, is held by Ferguson and Stege. The Big Wanganui run, of 20,000 acres, is held by H. Deidrich. There are nine settlers holding about 500 acres of freehold land. The Big Waitahi Valley run, of 10,000 acres, is held by Evans, Allen, & Co. The Happy Valley run, of 5000 acres, is held by Ferguson. The Mikonui run, of 13,000 acres, is held by Ferguson Brothers. There are 600 acres of freehold land held in the neighbourhood of the Mikonui. Some parties of miners are working on the beach line between the Wateroa and the Mikonui. Generally speaking, the roads down south are in good order. The main south road when completed will be a great benefit to Westland. It is at present finished to the Waikupakup River south of the Waiho—a distance of over a hundred miles from Ross. To the Paringa, a distance of over forty miles from the Waikupakup, the road is not yet made. From Paringa to the Haast, thirty out of forty miles of the road have been constructed, five miles of track deviation being made to the beach, and five miles along the coastline to the Haast. From the Haast to the Arawata (over thirty miles) the road is not made, but seven miles of the Arawata road lead to Jackson’s Bay, and the additional nine miles being made to the Stafford River will be continued to the end of the county, the whole distance from Ross to that point being two hundred and fifty miles.

The County Chairman, having visited these southern localities for the first time, while furnishing many practical suggestions to the Council, could not avoid concluding his report with remarking on the magnificent scenery presented at every turn. On reaching the Waiho, he makes note:—"The Waiho Glacier—commonly called the Francis Joseph Glacier—in the immediate vicinity, is a rare sight, indeed one of the world’s wonders to behold. The hot springs in the same locality are another wonder to witness. Their curative powers have been tested by many in the district, and found of great benefit, and may become famous some day. In fact, there is not a spot within the sea-girt isles of New Zealand that has so many rare and beautiful scenes as can be witnessed in the southern parts of Westland. Many parts of this unknown country, from its wild and rugged character, might truly be termed the land of mountain and flood. Its snow-capped mountains, lovely lakes, waterfalls, ravines, wondrous glaciers, hot springs, and sulphur springs, are worth to the tourist and admirer of picturesque and matchless scenery, a long journey to witness. But beyond all, and more marvellous to behold and to admire, is Mount Cook, of world-wide fame. Its snow-capped peaks, glittering in the morning sun, form a scene of surpassing loveliness; its majestic grandeur making it the monarch of the southern world.”