The Guardian And Evening Star, with which is incorporated the West Coast Times. FRIDAY, JANUARY 11, 1929. WESTLAND'S SCENIC ATTRACTIONS.

Hokitika Guardian, 11 January 1929, Page 4

The Guardian And Evening Star, with which is incorporated the West Coast Times. FRIDAY, JANUARY 11, 1929. WESTLAND'S SCENIC ATTRACTIONS.

It is proposed to bring hefore the Hon W. A. Veiteli, the newly appointed Minister of Mines, several matters of special interest to the distriet. Naturally mining matters will ho in the lord rout, and the subject is of such importance that we must rotor to it. in some detail in an early issue. However, to-day we want to refer to what has hceii hitherto something of a sideline in record to the district assets—wo refer to Westland’s scenic attractions. During the recent weeks there have boon numerous visitors to Westland. A great many of them have been visiting the district for the first time. Of the influx of visitors a great majority have arrived by car, and have boon taking their pleasure leisurely enjoying the sights and scenery generally as they made their way through t he district. Of those whom it has been possible to meet on their jaunts, there has boon the oft-repeated eulogy of I lie wonderful scenic views they have enjoyed. Those who came by way of the Christchurch road have extolled the bush drive they enjoyed by the way, and could hardly credit that

Westland had anything better to show in that class o! scenery as they drove on. Yet it is so - the more beautiful bush drives are further south, where the avenues are 1 -n ;.*;cthe timber taller, and the lorn growth more luxuriant. Not half enough is told or known of the scenic beauty by the roads The bush scenery is heightened here and there with the lakes and 4reams which the high ways at times skirt, while from the open river beds and settled Hats views of the Southern \lps in till their magnificence are obtainable. Westland is in point of fact i natural wonderland, yet as a great .tore house of pristine beauty it has not the publicity of more favourer! places lacking the natural features which here abound. It is an old rom- • ilsiilit—tin* railing against the powers that he for failure to do adequate, or ■(pull justice to other parts, in the .natter of wider and more effective publicity of ill is great material centre if a sylvan wonderland. We take il that the request to he preferred to the Minister is in the direction of in eluding Westland in the general policy if Lie. l country as regards publicity. I'hern arc different departments controlling this matter, including the Tourist, the Publicity and the Kail‘•ays. From each there is at times a little spasmodic attention, hut not the generous, sustained ell'ort which marks i lk* actions of (he departments referred to to centres in the North and South Island very familiar to the average reader liy reason of the never failing publicity. And at these centres the Government in its munificence erect and maintains costly hostels and provides expensive grounds and other facii.uies for patrons to obtain artificial enjoyment at the resorts. Here it is left to private enterprise to provide tic

os tel accommodation and the same >irit ensures transport and other Veady

'a In vie uio ices for access, lint Westla ml is off the beaten track of the well tramped’route from the Bluff to ~nd or vice versa, and the Government’s effort to incorporate Westlnnd in the comprehensive tour Inn Icon puny indeed. If it is possible to bestir Mr Veitch on this matter it will bo worth doing. He hails from a lo calitv where a sluggish river has been made world famous by reason of Gov eminent publicity. On the* principle that one good turn deserves another me Minister might recogirso that West land has the scenic attractions so •ond to none in profusion and natural;ess, and in furtherance of the policy droady in hand it should pay tin • •ountry handsomely to boom a district if such outstanding scenic glories.