TOURISTS HINDERED

Press, Volume CV, Issue 31007, 12 March 1966, Page 16

TOURISTS HINDERED

Scenic Spots Inaccessible

Some of New Zealand's finest tourist attractions were denied to visitors because there were no access roads to them, the Westland County delegate to the South Island Local Bodies’ Association (Mr M. Wallace) said yesterday.

Mr Wallace said the famous view of the alps from Lake Matheson was known to most people only because a photographer had scrambled through thick bush to get to the spot where the picture had been taken.

Mr Wallace was supporting an appeal by his own county for an approach to the Government for money to develop roads in tourist areas.

He said there were other places in the South Island where it was impossible for visitors to see the scenic beauties because they could not reach them by road. He referred among others to Gillespies Beach where a colony of seals attracted much interest.

The association considered a letter from the Minister of Tourism (Mr Eyre) expressing interest in the issue and promising to raise it with appropriate authorities. Mr J. S. Thorn (Mayor of Port Chalmers and a member of the National Roads Board) said so much work on tourist roads had to be done in the South Island that it was difficult to know which should be developed first.

The association decided to take no further action until it heard further from the Minister.