The Hokitika Guardian FRIDAY JANUARY 19, 1923. TOURIST RESORTS.

Hokitika Guardian, 19 January 1923, Page 2

The Hokitika Guardian FRIDAY JANUARY 19, 1923. TOURIST RESORTS.

Visitors to Hokitika and district are never tired of extolling the scenic assets of Westland. The natural features of this mountainous, wooded territory are in striking contrast to many other parts of the Dominion where there are vast plain areas, bereft of all bush embellishments. Westland in its forest, lakes, and glaciers lias a succession of gifts from nature which are as varied a** they are expansive. But while visiting folk pass into raptures at the scenes to please the eye at every turn along the main or branch highway, the Government of the day charged with the care of the tourist resorts,

remains indifferent to tie wealth of beauty lavished by nature on the district. Since Sir .Joseph Ward ceased to control a Government, the disposition of the Tourist Department towards Wesland has been a waning feature, till now the interest of the department in Wtatlend p ton ip resorts is •Mmt'-f n'-f'Hgiblf'. This pot a frfifh

complaint, lint seeing that tin- Government indiffercntc continues, it is worth

repoa t;ng ns ii reminder tn fTio public, ol the neglect tlic district is suffering from, The Progress League took Ire matur up tile other night, and endeavored to cut one strand of tile gordian knot of indifference on the part of the Government, by extending an invitation to the Minister in charge of Tourist Resort- to visit Westland and spend a week at least in touring the district and seeing some of the heimty spots. It is proposed, if the Hon. Minister

who will he the first Tourist Minister to visit Westland for many a Ibllg day will deign to tour the district,

to com (nitrate on three or four outstanding points of interest. Those mentioned the other night were hakes Kanieri and Mahiiinpi]:i. flip Hokitika Gorge and the glacier country. Hut tot the Acclimatisation Society Like Kanieri would not he enjoying the piomitienoe it does. I.ake Mahinapiia stands in need of being rescued front the serious neglect it is suffering from. Right beside the railway line it would he an asset for railway revenue if the Government Departments were alert and working in unison. In many countries tourist resorts are controlled by the Railway Department, mid if that were so in New Zealand, it would he an advantage to the railways to have such a ii nil) up resort ns hake MuhinaI*mi featured for holiday purposes. The Hokitika Gorge is a delight to all who visit it. and it i- approached through country which is a revelation to the casual visitor of the pastoral possibilities of this immediate district. As regards the glaciers, they are ttic*- outstanding natural feature rtf the 'Dominion, the ice fields being so easily approached and enjoyed in a surrounding of wonderful natural scenery. Facilities for walking parties in and about the glaciers, including the restoration of file galleries, the development of the hot springs and improved

camping accommodation on the upper arms of the glaciers, are a necessity, il visitors are to get more out of the wonderland of the south, m are to tic afforded the opportunity of enjoying the special sights and pleasures "illicit are in he ioiind in and about the glacier regions. It is wise, therefore. in seeking to concentrate on the objective indicating as a beginning in a scheme which should lead to an iin-

portant development ns time goes on. With the great (low of visitors to arrive here in the early future, it is necessary to piepnre in advance for the entertainment of the holiiliiymakeis to the fullest extent, and it is only by the people taking the matter up locally that Government interest can be concentrated. and a measure of interest and support won for the benefit of the toil list resorts of the district.