A NATIONAL ASSET IN DANGER.

Hokitika Guardian, 16 February 1927, Page 4

A NATIONAL ASSET IN DANGER.

(Christchurch “ Press.”)

We printed ou Saturday a letter to the Editor from a lady who is much concerned over the danger to Arthur’s Pass and the Otira Gorge that lias come with the discovery of those enchanting places. Before the tunnel was completed, the Pass and the Gorge were known only to the tourist who passed through decorously by the stage-coach and, as time passed, to the adventurous motorist or to the lover of beauty who went on foot. Nowadays thousands of people cross the range every month; the Railway Department very wisely, lias been energetic in nr-. ranging excursions at all seasons of . the year, and has brought glimpses of , beauty into lives that might otherwise ’ have remained bare of them. , One evil consequence of this opening ; of the Pass and the Gorge to the multitude is. our correspondent says, that j the beauty is being frayed, and actual- 1 lv put in peril of fire. The travellers | tear up plants and ferns, not knowing | that they will not bear transplanting, j and it will not need many seasons isl cause the disappearance of some of the peculiar beauties of the region. The danger from lire is not understood. It is a common belief that the raimall is so heavy and the vegetation so luxuriant, that the Pass and Gorge arc fire-proof, hut this belief has 110 good foundation. It can he very hot and dry on the Bass and in the Gorge in j some summers, and, as our correspondent says, “ a lew dry days and a strong .wind and the growth of the mountain sides would he reduced to j V's.” The multitude is thoughtless

end careless, and cannot ho reached |;v anv appeal to good sense and good feeling. If can he reached, however, by ollieial action, and our correspondent complains that the Government lias shown no such concern lor the protection of this incomparable national asset as it has shown for less valuable and less beautiful—though valuable and beautiful enough—regions in the North Island.

North Island enthusiasts induced the Government to set aside as a National Park—the Tonga rirn Naliona. Park—a. large tract of country including the peaks of Ruapehu. Ngauruhoe, and Toiigariro.

ami our cortloKpomlcnt suggests that the Government should proclaim as a National Park the country between Arthur's Pass and the Gorge foot. In matters like this the Government, does hot move except under the impulse of local feeling, and it is perhaps as well that this should be so, because the less

the Government meddles on its own account the better.' But we are sure Hint it the matter were brought before the responsible Minister the Government Mould do whatever was necessary to preserve for future gem rations what maiiv judicious and experienced travellers have said is one id' the most beautiful regions in the whole world.