SCENI ATTRACTIONS.

Dominion, Volume 4, Issue 1136, 25 May 1911, Page 8

SCENI ATTRACTIONS.

* SOME DISCOMFORTS OF TRAVEL. IMPRESSIONS OF. A TOURIST.. the great majority of visitors to New Zealand are delighted with tho scenic attractions of the North Island, they complain a good deal about some of the discomforts of travel and accommodation. At the Grand Hotel, a Dominion representative had a' talk with a much-travelled tourist, Mr. J. Nisbet, from London, who thought it might-do some good if he made his views public. "

"Tho Government tourist agents," ho said, "recommended strongly a visit to tho Waitomo and Aranui Caves, and 1 think their advice is fully justified, as finer limestone.caves can scarcely be imagined. Further, a well-situated,, very good accommodation house has been erected close to the Waitomo Caves. Tho grievance lies in tho access to Waitomo. There is six miles coaching from the railway, and the so-called road is the most execrable track it has ever'beenmy misfortune to traverse in a coach. There are long stretches of thick, sticky mud, into which tho coach sinks nearly up to the axle, and great trenches across the track, into which the vehicle pitches. Then,' to • avoid some impassable quagmire, : it must mount the sido of tho road, to the imminent danger of emptying the passengers sideways into tlio mire or capsizing outright. This struggling, jolting, and pulling goes on for one hour and three-quarters, 'tho . lime taken by a. five-horse coach, to cover the six miles. For the exciting experience of a return journey on this coach ten.shillings is the modest charge.. The coach proprietor affirms "that every representation has been made to have-the. road im-proved,■-but-without avail, and he expresses the opinion that nothing will be done until some day tho coach is upset, and several people are killed. .'' "As a matter of fact, the day I passed an accident had taken place, a.horse and cart, with the driver, having gone over the bank at a bad corner quite close to Hangatika Station. The drives was lying in a serious condition in the boardinghouse clo-e by. It should be added that there had. been no rajf! for -i week when I went over the road, which was therefore by no means at its worst. In view.of allthis the enterprising tourist, would 1:5 well-advised to postpone his visit to Waitomo until something fairly resembling a road'has been provided. But if ho will go, then let. him walk."

Regarding the caves themselves, Mr. Nisbet has nothing but words of praise. They are remarkably beautiful,, and the more recently-discovered caves ot Aranui arc, if anything, move beautiful still. In addition to which they have not suffered from the vandalism that for so many years was, under Maori rule, permitted at AVaitomn.

Of one other journey Mr. Nisbet speaks with no uncertain sound, namely, the Wnngaiiui River trip. Again ho was delighted with .the scenery, but the method of seeing it ho condemned in unsparing terms. The distance from Taumarunui In AVangauui is 111 miles, and tho passage money works out at over fourpeucc per mile—a record charge, surely, for steamboat travelling. But even such a, charge might lie .forgiven could the journey be made in some degree of comfort.

Referring to the launches and steamers on which he travelled. Jlr. Nisbet. said: "The first launch was an oppii boat with canvas coverings, in case of rain, and most uncomfortable benches, that would sent, between twelve and fiflcen passengers if they were tightly packed. It is 21 miles to the Houseboat, which is wellappointed, has considerable sleeping, accommodation, and a very nice diuingroom. There we cot a good - luncheon, daintily scrved. Here we went on by another launch that was. if anything, more uncomfortable than the other one. There was no light, and for one and a half hours the craft was navigated towards Pipiriki in the dark, at the end of the.first day's journey. This part of tho journey took us over some rapids. I stood by the sido of the captain all tho time, and I marvelled at the manner in which he got through !hc rain and the utter darkness. ,Ho evidently did not like it, and lie said he must get the management to provide a light. An ordinary light would be no use—a strong, bright light is necessary for such work."

Mr. Nishct is nil experienced traveller in various countries for a period of about thirty years, so lus observations should carry some weight. lie is only one nf many tourists who have made similar complaints. For the credit, of New Zealand and of the Government which advertises these tours, some steps should surely lie taken to improve, this traffic before another season comes round. Mr. Nisbcl is charmed with New Zealand, and. his sole object in ventilating this nutter is that reasonable improvement should be made, '