TOURIST TRAFFIC.

Evening Post, Volume LXXXI, Issue 95, 24 April 1911, Page 7

TOURIST TRAFFIC.

A RECORD YEAR. "Generally speaking the season has ibeen easily -a record one," said the Minister in charge of the Tourist Department (Hon. T. Mackenzie) to a Post rep-Teseniativ-e to-day. Tourists, he added, had come to New Zealand from the United Kingdom, America, and Australia, -and also from foreign countries, and some of the parties had made extended visits. The Minister specially instanced the Christcruirch office as a centre where good business had been done, and expressed the hope that other centres would do as well in. future. Tourists, he added, were delighted with the simplicity of the system under which the department gets into contact with the tourist, arranges a tour for him, and hands .him a book of tickets which franks him .from the beginning to the end of his ■jooroey, whether it be train, boat, motor car, or any other means of conveyance. The inaugaration of the scbern© necessitated a geod deal of planning, but it is now in. excellent -working order, and has been greatly appreciated by those who lave taken, advantage of it. The Minister speaks enthusiastically of the newly-discoviei'fid caves at Waiiomo — named A-ran-n^ after the name of their "Maori discov-erer, who dropped on them accidentally while -pig-shooting. They are wonders which cannot easily be imagined, much less surpassed, and are regarded as a, rich asset of the Dominion. Before their discovery W-a-i-tomo Hcaicfe vtas full, and even now the extra accommodation provided has not been sufficient to meet the requirements of the travelling public. At. Mount Cook, said the Minister, the fonndafions of a new Mountain House have been put in ; and the work of erection is well under way. The track (the construction of which the Minister has so much at heart) giving connection across the South Alps between the East and West Coast systems ot roading, is progressing steadily. It is now cut from the Hermitage to the saddle above ilie Copland River on the west. A hut has been erected six miles up from the Hermitage towards this divide, and light and inexpensive bridges have been thrown across the jtr-eams. Also, double the number for v.-horn acepmmodation could be provided have applied for quarters at the Hermitage, which promises to show"" a very satisfactory return for the season's working, apart from the indirect result of the visit of the tourist. Generally jpealring, the Minister anticipates that the result of the season will be found to be distinctly to the benefit of the Dominion.

The small wooden steamer Lily, built in Auckland 38 years ago for the late Captain Casey, was sold at auction today by Messrs. J- H. Bethune and Co. Messrs Jones and Co., coal merchants, Clyde-quay, puTcha3sd her for £5. For some weeks past she has been lying partly submerged near the Thorndpn Baths.