The Guardian And Evening Star, with which is incorporated the West Coast Times. THURSDAY, JULY 31, 1930. MISTAKEN ENTHUSIASM.

Hokitika Guardian, 31 July 1930, Page 4

The Guardian And Evening Star, with which is incorporated the West Coast Times. THURSDAY, JULY 31, 1930. MISTAKEN ENTHUSIASM.

.1 hose who take an interest m the opening up of South "Westland must have been somewhat surprised to read last week of the special and peculiar scheme put forward for tourists and traveller's generally to make the ChristchurchWaiho Gorge trip and vice-versa, in a single day’s travelling. The itinerary covers the usual scenic features of the trip which are the pride and pleasure of all who make it, but the time scheduled for the journey appears altogether fantastic, robbing the traveller of any pleasure in the journey by the way, and crowding into a. long and difficult day, a trip which might well

occupy the two days now operating, unless the visitor makes the through trip by aeroplane. The plan put forward to leave Christchurch at 8.45 would in the first instance, disorganise the existing train service, on both sides of the ranges. This fact suggests at once the modesty of the proposal! The dove-tailing of the East and West Coast train services is a. nice task, for it is Accessary to consider the

adequate working of the tunnel traffic, and also the running of the trains so that the passengers may have meals or refreshments at the various places ready promptly on train arrival. However, the proposal takes no account of this difficulty, but would set the Waiho Gorge party down at Utira at 12.-13, where lunch is ■obtainable. The time of departure by service car would be about 1.30 and it is proposed to reach Waiho Gorge at 7 p.m. This allows 54 hours for the 130 miles journey to be done by road. Such a trip would involve very fast travelling, exceeding an average of over 27 miles per hour for the through trip; but more if stoppages en route are allowed for. Travelling at such a rate would lie far too fast for pleasure. Good as"’the roads may bo, the speed would produce many rough stages, while all pleasure in enjoying the scenery which is the charm of the trip, would be lost-. It would be a tired, weary, and not to say sore, traveller, who would land at Waiho Gorge by 7 o’clock. During portion of the year the filial stages of the journey covering the skirting of the lakes and views; of the bush and mountain aspects, would be in the gloaming, though on the average the traveller would be feeling too glum to enjoy the prospect, and might welcome the dark for a reviving nap. The return journey would be equally uncomfortable i Departure is scheduled for 7 a. nil \vi th broakfast at' lloki ll k'a ! There would be. some hungry travellers after that TOO mile jaunt- . before breakfast. However, food would have to be taken rapidly, because the train must be caught at Gtira by 1 p.m. All this is too. much rush and hurry, and takes the pleasure out of ’ the trip! The existing arrangements appear excellent, and of course Waiho Gorge TV not the' only place to enjoy in a Westland trip. The 5 holiday-maker does not 'plan for rush trips. He books a tour so as to see what may be taken in en route, and if the proposal were to be carried out as suggested, scores of visitors would, miss the general Westland resorts, the sum of which have built up the fame of the district as a scenic wonderland. As regards tlie present tri-weekly service; south, there should be no occasion to cavil at it. It has been built up,only after long agitation, and along with the. mail service is a great boon to the south. The time-table fits in with the regular service from Christchurch, the south having first preference in claiming the attention of visitors. It is not desirable rto rush visitors back without ■seeing the beauty spots in and around Hokitika, and twice, weekly the service provides for visitors spending a day here in pleasurable enjoyment before taking the train back to Christchurch. The promoters of .the proposed scheme of rapid transit, of course have done a great deal to make the Waiho Gorge famous, and in that there has been unstinted support and praise from here. It must not be thought, however, that the Waiho is to ehgage the sole attention of visitors. That was never Intended, and for that reason we feel constrained to rails a voice of protest, and hope if the authorities arc considering any change, they will not fail to consult other local opinion on this important matter. ' '