AMENITIES SOCIETY.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 19472, 6 May 1925, Page 5

AMENITIES SOCIETY.

MEETING OF EXECUTIVE. A .meeting of the executive of the Dunedin Amenities Society was held yesterday afternoon, and was presided over bv Mr A. Bathgate. The Wanganui Scenery Preservation and Beautifying Society wrote stating that no movement had yet been made by it in the matter of the Bowen Falls. The preservation of scenery was one of tho objects of the society. The remainder of the letter dealt with matters concerning Wanganui itself.—Received. A letter waa read from the Minister of the Tourist and Health Resorts Department acknowledging the receipt of a communication from the society opposing the granting of a license for the manufacture of nitrates at Milford Sound, and the use of Bowen Falls for such a purpose.— Received. The Town Clerk, Dunedin, wrote as to the question of advertising on Government buildings, railway bridges, etc. This, he said, had been submitted to the City Council, and the council had decided, after duo consideration, that no action be taken in tho meantime.—Received. In connection with beautifying Anzac square, it waa resolved that the suggestions of the committee in that direction be undertaken by the society, and that the Minister of Railways be asked to subsidise the work to the extent of £SO. Tho matter of shrubberies along the bank of tho Leith, in the vicinity of the University, was brought under notice and it was resolved to carry out tho recommendations of the sub-committee, which were to the effect that tho shrubbery should be continued, and that a group of trees be planted in the centre of the area. With regard to Studholm House, it was decided that a request be made that the garden bo put in bettor, order before the Exhibition was opened, and that the olearia hedge in Union street be continued. A number of other small matters were dealt with. With regard to the shifting back of laburnums from the bank of the Leith, it was decided that the trees be removed to tho edge of tho river. Other places mentioned where an improvement could bo effected were Upper Rattray street and tho Dowling street steps, and it was resolved that the subcommittee take whatever steps it thought necessary. It was decided to spend £5 in Upper Rattray street in planting. iho question of distributing plants and seeds to beautify the northern end of tho city in view of the Exhibition being opened was ventilated, and it was first decided that plants and seeds should bo supplied through the medium of the society on application being made. Finally Messrs Salmond and Brasch were appointed to report to a future meeting in regard to improving the streets leading to tho Exhibition. THE BOWEN FALLS. 70 THE XDITOB. Sir, — I hope the Minister will pause before allowing the Bowen Falls to be exploited for commercial purposes. Despite ad assertions to the contrary, that would undoubtedly mean the destruction of the tails as a scenic attraction. Tho Tourist Department, 10 years ago, decided upon tho extension of tne present Te Anau-Milford track to Lake Wakatipu, via the Grave Talbot route, thus making a round trip embracing Manapouri, Te Anan, Milford Sound, and Wakatipu—the finest <trip in New Zealand. For many years men have been working on this new extension during summer months, and the formation will soon be finished, as it should have been ’ong ago. If the MilfordWakutipu section, when completed, is furnished with small huts similar to those on tho present Te Anau-Milford track, then little additional revenue will ensue to compensate for the heavy expenditure in forming, equipping, staffing, and maintaining it. These huts have limited accommodation, and even now are at times inconveniently crowded, so that the track costs will be doubled with no provision for a coresponding increase in the number of patrons. To justify the now extension roomy accommodation houses will be required on the present track and also on the now section, and a large hotel at Milford. If the department is working on business lines, and is looking for some return from its outlay, this programme is inevitable. In view of the marvellous mountain scenery on the new Milford-Wakatipu section, the considerable expenditure involved will be money well spent, provided that the department undertakes a wide, publicity campaign, especially in America, whence we may expect a large influx of tourists eager to make the unique and comfortable walking tour which • will then be ready for them. Is it good business to herald this development, and preface the advertising campaign with the elimination of a feature of the tour —tne Bowen Falls—which has been admired and appreciated by thousands of people who are now the best recruiting agents for the “Finest Walk”? Variety of scenery adds greatly to the charm of any trip, and, if Bowen Falls are destroyed, these tourists of past years will experience a sense of keen regret, which would he unfortunate at a time when additional works in hand and in prospect require that the fame of this tine excursion should he enhanced rather than depreciated. No doubt tho convenient situation of Bowen Falls—a few hundred yards from the flat land at tho head of the Sound—makes it a very desirable site for a power scheme, hut that- same factor adds immensely to its value as a scenic asset. Imagine the attraction of a beautiful waterfall in plain view from lawn, balcony, or bedroom window! A small expenditure will suffice to improve the present rough track to the head of the Fall's, and divert it past one or two dangerous places. This would provide a delightful walk, less than an hour’s easy stroll from the hotel, with lovely glimpses of the Sound en route, and the graceful leap of the water at, the. top. Success to the Nitrates Company in its project to establish a new industry-hut at some other place, not at Milford Sound ! A complete survey should be made of all the wafer powers in tho various _ inlets, with a comparative report of their suitability for power purposes. It may bo that 'more than one spot will bo found suitable for a nitrates scheme. although it may require perhaps more initial expenditure than would Bowen Falls.—l am, ete., Mav 5. . .Tas. Allan.