TONGARIRO NATIONAL PARK

Dominion, Volume 13, Issue 8, 4 October 1919, Page 9

TONGARIRO NATIONAL PARK

TBj' E. 0. Lightband.l Tho Ohakune Chamber of Couimcrce are to ho congratulated on having organised '.such a good, representative and cnthtwiastic .deputation to urge the Min-ister-m-Chargo of the Tourist ' Department, Hon. W. Nosworthy, to push on the development of Tongariro National Park. The scheme, of which tho particulars have been published, has the advantage of linking up the present leading tourist and. health resorts through to lio'torua, and making for many round trips of exceptional interest from both a scenic and health point of view. The Press havo a great,part in opening up this truly wonderful National Park to tho people of this Dominion and tourists 'from overseas. 'This matter should have the greatest publicity. The general public little realise the immensity of this assel. We have the health-giving springs of Ketetahi. Whole rivers of medicinal water cross the Main Trunk railway—the Wangaehu, .at Tangiwai railway station, and'the Magaturu.tnru, near Pokako station. People of all classes will bo able to partake of these healing waters and "iced : champagne" mountain air. The latter should appeal to our nrohibition friends, as you get the "kick" without the bad head after. We have at this great park the volcano Ngaruhoe. also Tongariro, and a great many of the thermal wonders. In Kim-. peliii. the enormous twin-peaked cone piercing the heavens, with its gleaming splendour of snowfields and glaciers, we have one of the.grandest und most wonderful of the works of the Great Creator. This majestic mountain, which, dominates the central porlion of the North Island, and materially influences the climate with ils vast bulk of snow and ice. is clad with most beautiful verdure. On the lower slopes and foothills magnificent forests, with luxuriant shrubbery, ferns, etc., abound. Tho plant and animal life are in many cases rare and curious, almost a whole zone being traversed in a few miles. 'It is-a regular "Tom Tiddler's ground" for Hie botanist. seolo"isf, mineralogist, ami other scientists! The most thrilling ami delightful Maori legends exist, telling of ancient wonders and doings in this mystic part of their King Country. This scheme if develoncd on brand lines will be a mine of henlH) and wealth, and will exert a great uplifting inlliience mi Hip community. T venliire to say. if unshed by our sci n nlist<; the Tourist Minister, and his 'Oepaifiiionlal officers and all philosophical enthusiast*, His. of lhoii.«/inils will bo e>ii>ii;i!lv thronging this great Tongariro National Park.'