The diorama at the Hokitika Museum.

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DescriptionUpon the topmost seat I ride
Ladies and baggage go inside
And as we cross the great divide
My collar forms a funnel
To catch the rain which wets me through
Don't gush to me about the view
I'm cold and wet so tell me do
When shall we have the tunnel?
The view it fairly scares me stiff
The road's a ledge along a cliff
The wheels go near it, heavens if
They made a deviation
I only hope that I survive
This perfect nightmare of a drive
To offer thanks when I arrive
Safe at Otira station
The driver tries to calm my fears
As round a hairpin bend he steers
There's been no accident for years
He hastens to assure me
I've done this job in wind and rain
Three times a week and back again
For eighteen years but all in vain
This has no comfort for me.
The scenery I understand
Is commonly considered grand
By tourists from another land
Who love each new impression
But I am cold and wet as sop
And I only think how far I'd drop
If I fell off the coach's top
I freely make confession.
I'm no seeker after thrills
I'd rather travel under hills
Than over them in rain and chills
In constant trepidation
I only hope some other day
To travel back the tunnel way
So may no further hitch delay
That blessed perforation.
Tremayne Curnow 1920
Now the land its joy is voicing,
that the Tunnel's done at last;
but myself, I'm not rejoicing;
I am mournful for the past.
Never more across the ranges
will the flying coaches go
for the former order changes
and we ne'er again shall know
all the gorge's sights inspiring
all the splendour of the view;
there'll no. no time for admiring
as we swiftly hurry through.
Never more will men go driving
through the freshly fallen snow
and at Arthur's Pass arriving
late, by half an hour or so.
All the glory has departed
of that old romantic day
when the coach from Springfield started
and pursued its rocky way,
over Porter's Pass ascending
and at Bealy taking rest
on the road historic,
ending in the wild and golden West.
Now an engine swift and smoky
is the motive power today, and a railway carriage poky
is the modern tourist's way.
"Progress"is the word at present,
and we have to travel fast;
but I sigh for leisure pleasant,
for the glories of the past.
The Star (Christchurch) 6 August 1923

Map^[1]ContributorDavid Verrall

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Location (city or town)HokitikaLandmark (Place)Hokitika MuseumOrganisation (eg business)Hokitika Museum

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Date Created18th July 2025

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The diorama at the Hokitika Museum.

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