MAKAROA NOTES

Hokitika Guardian, 21 November 1929, Page 8

MAKAROA NOTES

(From a Correspondent.)

Rumours are abroad to the effect that an up-to-date hostel may shortly he Duilt at Haast at the West Coastend of the Haast Pass track. A Dunedin syndicate are the enterprising promoters. Those interested in the development of our tourist resorts keenly await further developments. This is a healthy sign coming from a distant centre. The completed building will be controlled by proprietors of an existing film in of tourist hotels operating in New Zealand.

James Tourist Coy.’ report heavy bookings for the riding trip from Lake Wanaka to Fox and Franz Josef via Haast Pass. Many holiday camps will also appear in the Haast Valley. . There was keen competition for the stalking blocks in West Wanaka. At last week’s ballet at the monthly' meeting of the Lakes Acclimatisation .Society at Queenstown when the following blocks word' allotted:—Jumbolancl, 4 rifles, Messrs Edmonds, Campbell, .-and L. E. Wilson, Dunedin; Nottingby Valley', J. Hunt and party; Mimuret, Messrs Freeman and Brasck, Dunedin ; Minaret Creek, R. Kitto and J. AlcLeod ; Alatukituki, Air and Mrs A. Kitto, Wanganui; Mill Creek, A. AleKegg and J. Faulks.

Mr Eric Miller (N.Z. Alpine Club) delivered a very interesting lantern lecture at the Baptist Hall, Dunedin, on Thursday, his subject being “Holiday Trips in t'liei Southern Ajps.” I here was a large attendance who! were shown a large Collection of alpine views, the result of'several years’ - work in the Alps. The views included were of Wanaka, Alt. Aspiring, heads of the Dart, Arawata and Wilkin districts. Mr Miller stated he had selected the Fox Glacier district of Westland as the scene of his forthcoming holiday. Some of the late Mr Samuel Turner’s slides were also included in tnose shown, Mr Miller having been a member of that very successful expedition. Tlie Otago papers have gdven accounts of a series of illustrated lectures given in the city and provincial towns of Otago by Air Eric James, of the White Star Company, the principal event being a widely' attended display arranged Under the auspices of the Otago Expansion League, on which occasion the urgency of more attention of the Progress Leagues were sought to futher develop and make (known the wonderful attractions of the country’ beyond the AVanaka district. The ever increasing audiences who attend Air James’ lectures go to prove the extent of increasing interest being centred in the remote and little known beauty spots to be found in Southern Westland. Tbe attention of influential and financial business people towards tbe possibilities of tbe souHi.ern district is also to some extent tbe result of this prolonged publicity' campaign.