MOUNT COOK.

Dominion, Volume 6, Issue 1658, 27 January 1913, Page 4

MOUNT COOK.

THE ACCOMMODATION FOE TOUE--ISTS. > (By Teleerapli.—l'rosa Association,) . Chrlstchurchi January 26. Tho Hon. E.' ; H., lthodes, Minister ,in Charge of the Tourists and Health. Rosorts, mado a statement regarding criticisms made by Sir John Pindlay as. tc> tho insufficiency of tho accommodation being provided in the. now hostel at Mount Cook: for ; tourists. Sir John Pindlay made a strong point of the fact that tho new hostel when completed will only' accommodate tho sam 6 number (10) <13 the present Hermitage accommodates, and ttrged that accommodation should be provided for 70. Mr. Ehodes said that .his attention had been (Jrawa to Sir John Fiudiay/s remarks. ■ The now hostel was being constructed by tho Public Works Department in ' accordance .with, jnstruotions given by the Mackenzie Gov, eminent.,: Ho (Mr. lthodes) has asked, that; the 1 pltiiis should'bo submitted ,to' him, and he agreed with Sir John Pindlay that various alterations might bo effected with advantage. .When ne has in- i spected the plans ' ho intends making certain recommendations to Cabinet. The present Hermitage buildings wpuld be availablo for the accommodation of tourists, though as to that point it has not 'been; definitely decided to' what use,the Hermitage buildings are to be put. Ee- • garding the accommodation to be provid-, ed'in tho now. hostel, Mr. Ehodes stated that it will consist of comfortable accommodation for fifty-three guests, which is an increase On the accommodation available at tho Hermitage. . ' ■"I have visited Mount Cook on several occasions," said Mr. Ehodes, "and I am' fully aliye to tho beauties of the and the necessity there exists for making it more accessible to tourists Ihan.is'tho case at present. Visitors still complain about having to stay the night at Pairlie, instead of' going right through. 1 propose to . visit the Hermitage shortly, when I will bo in a better position to deal with various matters affecting this, resort."-

. With rofcronco to the advertising of the South-Island tourist and'health resorts generally in Australia,. Mr. Rhodes said that the South Island resorts ore advertised just as fully as is Rotorua, and the advantages of the alpine regions are pine-. <jd beforo all who are contemplating visiting New Zealand, and who apply at the N<j W Zealand Government Tourist Bureaux in Australia for information. . ■ •