TOURIST TRAFFIC

Hokitika Guardian, 26 January 1928, Page 2

TOURIST TRAFFIC

TO WEST COAST. (By Telegraph—Bor Press Association.) WANGANUI. Jan. 25. Alter a comprehensive motor tour ol the South Island, Air and Mrs John .Move have returned to Wanganui. The tour occupied three weeks, said Mr Aloye to a “ Herald ” reporter. From Wellington the ear was shipped to Pieton. In turn Nelson. Port Motuoka, Westport, and Reelton were visited. From the latter township, the journey was continued to Hokitika, and from there to Boss. Here a stop was made said Air Aloye, and a journey was made to the famous Franz Josef Glacier, where two clays were spent on the ice. Air Alcivo spoke enthusiastically of the grandeur of the scenery, not only in South Westland, but in the Buffer Gorge and throughout the West Coast. He particularly alluded to the motor drive between Boss and the Waiho, which ho states is the finest in New Zea land. Out of 150 tourists who were staying at the hotel at Waiho. Mr Move said lie and his wife were among the low New Zealanders present. The visitorwere from all parts of the globe, the majority being Australians. The trip was continued later over the Otiru Gorge to Christchurch, and along up the East Coast via Kuikoura. to Blenheim and Pieton. and across the straits to Wellington. Continuing, Air Aloye said the weather was beautifully fine the whole time, and as a result the South island countryside was dried up in many places. Asked regarding punctures on the journey, Mr Aloye said he had two while in Christchurch. The distance travelled altogether was 1500 miles.

THE IT AX AIE R ROUTE. CHRISTCHURCH, Jan. 24. In the course of an article in the “Star” entitled ” Hanmer for Health and Recovery,” Dr H. T. J. Thacker says: “ It is an amazing tiling to think that our Minister of Public Health will not build a highway paved right from Christchurch to Hanmer over Jollie’s Pass to the Clarence river, Tophouse, and Nelson. This would open those huge bundles of good health to all New Zealand. Build, too. accommodation similar to that at Waitomo Caves and the Hermitage for all classes. Why should not the poorest wage earner be able to get his spring cleaning after his: yearly overhaul, and with him his dependants:-' For two reasons only— cost and access. What would a highway to Nelson via Hanmer mean? First a clean cut out of. South Island unemployment. There are tens of acres of the best land in New Zealand feeding sheep. These could still feed sheep on the tops, and he settled into farmsteadalong the highway to produce home industry—goods like Donegal tweeds. Harris tweeds, rugs, or Kaiapoi blankets. fruit farms and vegetables larms. irrigated by the Clarence and AXaiau rivers. pai>er pulp mills, dairy larms to produce cheese and butter, lamb, mutton and beef.”