TOURIST & PUBLICITY MATTERS

Hokitika Guardian, 28 April 1930, Page 3

TOURIST & PUBLICITY MATTERS

DISCUSSION AVITH DEPARTMENTAL OFFICERS.

On Saturday evening a. joint meeting of the Westland Chamber of Commerce and AVestland Progress League was held to meet Mr G. W Clinkard, recently appointed to th.e ~head or the Tourist and Publicity .aiid Industry and Commerce Departments, and Mr J. L. Schmitt', lately employers’ representative of the Arbi tiation Court, and'now appointed New Zealand Government representative in Australia, whither he proceeds sliercly to estabtish headquarters at Sydney. There were present, Dr Teiclielmann (voted to the Chair), Messrs G. A. Perry (Mayor), R. AVild, G. Davidson, T. W. Bruce, AA r . E. Richards, Jas Kerr. \\ r . J. Butler, J. J. AlcIntosli, A. Chapman (Ross), I). J. Evans, H. G. Coles. I>r Teiclielmann extended a cordial welcome to the visiting officials who had arrived that afternoon, and had visited Lake Kanieri already. It was a matter for congratulation that the Tourist Department was being placed on a more stable basis, and its work would be more efficient and effective. The fusion of the departments would he all for the better- of tourist tr ffic. There was much to be done m that matter, and with the work moire co-ordinated, better results? 1 should accrue all round. i

The Mayor, in supporting the welcome to the visitors, thought there were opportunities on the Coast for • great extension of the tourist, traffic. The district undoubtedly had groat advantage® in natural beauty of impressive grandeur, and these miglr well he more widely advertised as worth visiting. Much of the Coast scenery was unique, and on that account was an ousttanding feature of tin' Dominion's attractions. Mr Perry added that he had lately traversed the Coastal road as far as AVestport, a.nd he thought that, the run from ’the Duffer Gorgg : . along .the, f <£pn,s.ta] Mid to , Hokitika, ;; anil thence, to. the ( South glaciers would be regarded .the finest major .toiir .jn New Zealand, tor certainly the sc-en-:ori; was, njo.sjt ; varied ai ( id,, .always ■ Mr Eva i,is, .said he find' already suggested,, to 't|ie ; visitors . that',in. . their " t'ri'oi smith the next should, proceed by launch to Cake Muhin f| - tft )'ahd’ take the car from Ahat point on the southern jjoiirneyp and he was glad! to know, the' transport had Been arranged. While travelling from Lake Afahina.nua ho f asked the visitors to note the necessity for metalling the short strefclA; pf .Md from the lake, and trusted a small vote would he provided for that nurpose. At Lake Kanjeri it was hoped a well defined track", up ' Tiilnia, would. ,|ie provided for. In South Westland therh was at- ' atention to interesting resorts, and suggested! with the“ District Engineer (Mr Johnston) who had a full knowledge of the requirements " aild" wAS- alfeiidy carrying out several small vvprksi ( ; ( whick word going t to lie, greatly ( aipixrhc.iated by tourists .and .'afford for a ionger ; in the district., Mr,. Evans refeiTecf also to the need' for deseribi ng tlm. Mi cjiand express a's the Christchurch-West Coast train. In tune-tables it was referred to as the Christchurch-Gieymouth train, and this was confusing to visitors who \*islied to travel to AVestport, Reefton, Hokitika or South AVestland. The change suggested would be more informative to the general public. Mention was made also of the need for speeding up the Midland express service between Hokitika and Greymouth. It was hoped these matters would be taken up with the railway authorities.

Mr Wild stated there had been unmeasured appreciation in this■ district when the news came through of the recent appointments of Mr Collins to Canada and Mr Schmitt to Australia. Knowing those two gentlemen so well, they felt that the trade of New Zealand at the oversea countries was. in good hands. They had good 'reports of Mr Clinkard and no doubt he would prove an efficient officer. He understood their visitors had been victims of the slow train journey from Gjiipy mouth 'that afternoon, so they would appreciate what was desired in the way of speeding up. From information gleaned from responsible railway officers he (Mr Wild) understood there would be no difficulty in cutting the journey down to an hour and a quarter. He hoped the visiting officers would induce tile Railway Department to grasp the nettle and bring about the reform as was done recently with the Rotorua service.

Mr Mclntosh following up matters relating to the railways, urged the advantage it would be were cattle feed brought from Canterbury to (Westland at a cheaper rate for winter feeding. As matters stood the farmer- had to pay more per ton for freight than for the commodity purchased. At a fair freight rate on the returning empty timber and cod trucks, considerable quantities of Canterbury fodder world be required here. The (trade would benefit the seller in Christchurch and the (buyer in Westland. Mr Mclntosh went on to refer to the freights on stock. Pigs in quantities could be exported at 3s 6d each. Yet stock he had imported to improve his herd, cost 24s 6d each. The same applied to sheep. Two rams imported cost £2 13s for rail transit, a price equal to an adult fare for each ram. If the Government wished to see the farmers im-

prove their stock, the charges were out of all reason, and the matter should he looked into. Dr Teiclielmann 'emarked that the visitors would see -by the roads of the. district, and the hotel accpmmodation en route, that rapid advance was made on conditions bn former years. These factors counted with tourist traffic, and the conditions were such now that very few who went south, who did not wish they had longer to stay in the congenial surroundings. Mr .Davidson said there was a weakness rega.iuing publicity here. A tourist office should be appointed at Hokitika, As it was for lack of proper information, too many visitors just made Hying visits, with only a day at the glaciers! The district suffered because of the use made of the North Island resorts to the neglect Si tiiose here. \\’itli Lei ter publicity there would be an increase m the number of visitors.

Mr T. AV. Bruce supported the request for a ac-lined t-iaek up Mount Tuhua. The climb was not difficult in clear weather, but the track was tu> indistinct in foggy periods and ciimbuis wei e luiulo u> lo.u their way. The Hack required defining. I’nbi.io con-.'-nien es were übo required au 'Lak »

Xanieri. ■ Wh.m 'the visitors went south he hoped the visitors would s. i the other lanes. There was lauthe, but no facilities to pro.is it. and enjoy' its bays and beauties; AValiapo, afs ►' without facilities. 'At' Alapburik'a. private enterprise had' provided '.a launch. Baiinga required a true... /» t'iie ! laa.st' bass gioiUy, the 'bluff tracks required .improving to uvokT I puli iiuv cio.V-.iug. liiere was great- scope in AVestland ,ty open' ii|.> the tourist resorts' and with propelpublicity visitors. W.puid’ co.uie in' greats, er numbers arid stay longer. Mr Butk-r explained ire and otber sawmilling ropreseutiitives would nieei the visitors at Grey mouth on Tuesday night, to discuss the trade in relation to the work of the Industries and Commerce Department.

Mr Clinkard tiianked the speakers for their words of welcome. The present was his first visit, and he was here to see and hear for himself. ii,i could not, however, discuss matters to a finality that evening, as he sought on the present occasion merely to be i 'better informed so that lie would be .•quipped to. deal With district affairs b.vhen' they came before' him'at head the work of theWlntlustries 'iuid' Comi nereg braneff gßill the , Tourist ‘worlt was hew to 'hiin. He 'was glad' to - 'learn' Uieir wants apd lie' had every ihtention of helping’ wkeYe possible. Tlfeif officers 'Were hot ih a 'jidsitibn •to: influence' 'visitors, ' merely to ad : vise according to the’ desires 1 bf travellers. ' irje' would ftee that 'inore' at- . should be given to AA’cstlUnd: At the same time there would be no piiblications for any special localities, anil the ’different attractions would all be fairly considered. Iff, most oi the offices, young people did the tours booking, If there had been mistakes . they .were, .made .ip., ,ignqrance < were • ipo't !intentional blunders. ( .Die pofitly wiuiUV be to "i'nfer-change' his booking, officers as much as possible, .and {during ’ their Annual leaWe' ’afford' JjTeiff "facilities, ! t‘o , visit"otliffr 'districts' and igain local ’“ l , ' Mr Clinkard , 'Weiit' , oii Wfy he thought ' the’’' CffastWl •' ''i'oAff : ’ )! nbKi; ;epehoff; f! would be a; strong' fahfor'rirf sdrawiiig peopj’ff South.' woiilff . travel froni ’ Maribarbugli affd ’ Netsbii th.r.oligli the Builler Gorge' to AA 7 estp>:jrt tdlid . cheiicc by 'Hokitika to’ the glac--

The return trip 'could be' 1 to Hokitika and thence by the Otiru Gorge to Christchurch, and on by Kaikoura back to the starting point, thus making a round trip of wonderful variety. In regard to the railway matters mentioned that evening he would sec that the questions were brought under the notice of Mr Sterling and his commercial officers consideration. ’He will also see the District Engineer regarding road a,nd track works tiifehtioned. The Department could not provide a local tourist bureau, but wdiild assist in equipping a room if the local • association would establish one. lit would arrange also for a visit by the officer at Grey mouth from time to time to look into the local requite- - ments, and learn of ■ latest developm He was delighted with their published booklet on tours in Westiand, and would confer with Dr Teichelmann regarding further; issues.

Mr J. L. Schmitt expressed thanks for the welcome extended. As an old Coaster he was delighted to be with them again before leaving for Australia. He was very pleased to have Mr Clinkard as his chief and glad it ■v-as possible to make the present trip. Mr Clinkard and he had been associated previously, and he was satisfied their requirements would have the fairest consideration at the hands-of the Department. For himself, his job was to 'be to sell New Zealand products and scenery to the Australians. There was one thing about the scenery it could he sold over and over again, and Would remain always a tangible asset. His first task was to be the reorganisation of the New Zealand representation in Australia. His headquarters would be at Sydney, instead of Melbourne, and so be close r> Canberra, where the Federal Government was established, as it was mainly with the Federal officers the inter-colonial work would be. Re-

: ivr tours, they bad to remember that tourists invariably had hilt a limited time at their disposal, and in booking tours that was an essential factor. From his personal knowbulge of Mr Clinkard-s abilities he (Mr Schmitt) felt sure a good job would be made of the task before the new Director.

On the Chairman’s motion a vote of than its was carried by acclamation .for the visitors' addresses and interest in the district.