The Guardian And Evening Star, with which is incorporated the West Coast Times. SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 4, 1928. TOURS AND TOURISTS.

Hokitika Guardian, 4 February 1928, Page 2

The Guardian And Evening Star, with which is incorporated the West Coast Times. SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 4, 1928. TOURS AND TOURISTS.

A tourist who visited these parts recently has expatiated- on the charm of the West Coast. The scenery charmed him at every point, and he considered the district “a veritable fairy land.” This is but another variation of the effect produced on visitors who enjoy our beautiful country for the first time. In the case ot the recent visitor and of many others there is a good deal ill the surprise experienced by the tourists, for many of them seem to find their way here almost by accident The tourist bureaux, particulnr-

ly in tlic North Island, do not direct their steps specially to Westland, or even the South Island, and when, by accident, as it were, the tourist drifts this way, it is to find themselves intrigued by the Unexpected beauty which nature unfolds. Captain Beveridge, the recnt visitor above referred to, puts the matter this "ay: “At the Itotorua Government Bureau, when planning my further movements, I was led to believe that the South Island had nothing very particular to offer. There was Mount Cook, of course, hut that would only appeal to me as a climbing proposition, a thing I always sidestep. My experience in the South has been a revelation of beauty, charm and interest. When 1 look hack on my stay, it will not be the dusty arid pumice plains of the North, but the glorious span of your fir-clad snowcapped mountains, bewitching paths fringed with ferns that make your South Island a veritable fairy]: :id.“ Praise could not lie greater. The charge against the Tourist Burer,”*, however, is not a new one, nor the above instance an isolated one. Other cases have been brought under our notice here lately, which goes to show the matter sh'ould be emphasised in a definite protest to the Government, The subject is one which should not he allowed to rest where it is, for many folk are prevented from touring this district liecause of adverse or unsympathetic interests operating In the northern part of the Dominion. As to Captain Beveridge, he did not find the journey one of “roses all the way.” and has voiced in a Christchurch papier, some complaints about charges The average traveller will be aware of the prevailing methods when he goes abroad, and will not be surprised to find prices on two scales for travellers. It happens in most countries, and the difference in some instances is very

marked. The Tourist Bureau, which make it a business of booking tours for tourists, evidently do this work on a commission basis. Some one lias to pay the extra cost of tile staff necessary. and as is the rase generally, the cost is passed ou to the immediate consumer. The widely travelled Captain should know something of this world-" ide practice, and not he surprised to find himself a victim from time to time. It is part of the penalty of touring -the price one has to pay. In inlU-li the same strain the Captain lias a growl about motor fares. Here again business is controlled b.v local conditions and competition. Motoring is not done on air, and to eater for the average tourist a decent plant must be provided. To negotiate dilfithe same way ,to cover long distances ill decent time and cross rough river beds, a plant in keeping with modern facilities for traffic must he provided. Plant has to he maintained all the year round, and the rush season extends over hut n few weeks, yet for cult bills (such as Otira Gorge) no cheap and nasty plant will suffice. In the short period the plant must he i he Cost, if safety is to lie assured. The maintenance cost l'or .slleli a service all the year round is very considerable. That has been demonstrated by the experience of others, and fares have to be in keeping with the annual maintenance. If the service is .such a profitable one others soon seen a share anti competition levels prices, but tliej’e is always a limit below "iiich loss must be faced. Doubtless in Jiis reflective moments Captain Beveridge w ill realise all this which is so obvious, and must recognise, too, that here a pioneering ,service is 'icing establish-

ed over difficult country with a small population and restricted traffic. On such premises the transport costs cannot ha considered excessive while in any case, the Captain had every compensation in the ‘‘beauty, charm and interest’’ of the ‘‘fairyland” he passetl through.