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Hokitika Guardian, 12 August 1930, Page 4

Thk attempt to centre all tourist traffic in Westland at Waiho Gorge is still being maintained, and according to a newspaper report the effort is meeting with a good deal of departmental support. It will be surprising, if this be true, for it will indicate that the official/3 know very little of Westland as a whole, if it /is thought by them that all the charm of' the district is centred at the Franz Josef. Surely this, cannot be so. However, a very pronounced protest is being made and the official heads will be quickly disillusioned if as the newspaper report states, these officers “have been favourably impressed by the proposal.” Briefly the idea which has emanated from Mr Peter Graham, is to out out all the Coast ap a tourist resort by so arranging the trains and motor services to 'land tourists from the East Coast in a minimum of time at Waiho Gorge, and. then when the visitors have had their fill of the Franz Josef, to whisk the travellersback to Christchurch again in the minimum of travelling time. Mr Graham (through the newspaper report, evidently inspired, has asked the people here to take a wide view of the scheme. He states that ‘any move which assists the development of South Westland as a tourist resort must reflect its benefits on Hokitika.” The only benefit to Hokitika we have been able to discern in Mr Graham’s scheme, is that when returning from the motor dash to Waiho Gorge, the bustling travellers are to breakfast at Hokitika! If it is necessary for any “wider view” to be taken in this matter, it is Mr Graham who should put on the long distance spectacles. Westland has numerous tourist re-| sorts, and the people are not going 1 to sit tamely and see these all airified for one locality. There are other settlers who have shown enterprise in catering for tourist traffic ahead of the times, and bringing scenic country into prominence which would otherwise be overlooked. Those folk are deserving of some consideration I also, and public opinion will see that they get it. Round about Hokitika there are objects of interest and outstanding scenery to arrest the attention of touring visitors. Thejse loc-

alities are not going to be cut out by any selfish scheme of transport for one locality. Westland has a wealth of variety in its scenic attractions, and it would be unfair when all have helped heretofore to build lip the whole to peek now to “corner” the traffic. It is not fair, and certain,iy not desirable from any point of view, and there is locally the strongest objection to the proposal put forward by Mr P. Graham.