TOURIST RESORTS

Hokitika Guardian, 18 May 1928, Page 4

TOURIST RESORTS

SOME IMPROVEMENTS. ( WELLINGTON, May 16. ( Gradually the tourist resorts of New Zealand are being made accessible and more comfortable. At tbe M nitoimi Caves-—one ol tbe wonder places of the world—the new house, which should satisfy all requirements lor years to come, and which will be well iurnished, will soon lie ready for occupation. 1 here the glowworm cave is the main attraction, and tourists from many countries who have seen it never fail to tefl their friends of its fascinating beauty. Hitherto there has not been sufficient accommodation foi those desirous of visiting the Wailoi.no (dives, but in the new building a large number of visitors can be most com fortably boused.

At Milford Sound, 100, new and up-to-date accommodation is being pro vided for those who wish to stay liter* for a few days or to mate the sub alpine trip over the Maekiiinon Paste or from To Anon. A groat deal baboon done to improve the track between To Amin and Milford, so that “the finest walk in the world” wifi next season he an easy expedition that can be made in comparative com fort. What with telephone and radio communication which have been estah fished, trampors will no longer he cut off from the. rest of the world. 'I here will lie radio communication between To Anau and Glade House at the heat! of the lake, and telephone communication along the track thence to Millord Sound. A new hostel is being built at Milford at a cost of about Clb,ooo and will be ready for next tourist season. It will accommodate itfi men and 20 women visitors. Separate accommodation is being provided for tbe manager anil staff. The accommodation will include a large dining-room and a comfortable lounge, and, which is more important, provision is being made for electric lighting, heating, and cooking, the power being cheaply provided Iroin an adjacent water supply without in any way interfering with the amenities of the situation. This is an important provision as it will do away with the necessity of encroaching on the lorest lor fuel. The site of Hie new accommodation house is close.- to the site of Sutherland’s old home, but on higher ground, from which a glorious view ol the head of the Sound, and the surrounding mountains is obtainable. In time no doubt tracks will be made up tbe Cleddnii River to the foot of Mount Tutoko, where the grandest scenery of the district —mountains with startling precipices and glaciers and snowficlds is to he seen- at present only by tbe adventurous. Later, tennis courts and howling greens will lie made at Millord, and then there will be added attractions to tempt tourists to make a longer stay than they do now. Strangely enough, the walk to -Milford does not attract as many New Zealand tourists

might he expected, mid the South Island traffic in particular does not come up to expectations, full visitois from Australia. Grout 'Rritain, and the I'nitcd States ol America were well represented last season.

The Marine Depart incut’s experts are at present considering wle-lher it "ill he possible economically to change the present Lake Te Anau steamer into an oil-driven vessel with a speed of ten knots an hour. They are also considering the question of the interim- reorganisation ol the vessel, especially in regard to the cabins. If lhe=o improvements are not possible a vote will probably appear on Ibis session's estimates f ( „.' a new ship. With these improvements and the possible running of a -•team service between tile Dtnft and Milford a steady and increasing hiresm of tourists may be expected, though at present it scorns doubtful if it "ill hr possible to run such a service unless it is subsidised.