GLOW-WORM EVIDENCE

Sun (Auckland), Volume I, Issue 194, 5 November 1927, Page 12

GLOW-WORM EVIDENCE

RECIPROCAL TOURIST TRADE VISITOR FROM HONOLULU A little glow-worm from the glow-worm cave at Waitomo is on its way to Honolulu. Should anyone doubt that there is a lovely glow-worm cave in New Zealand it will be used as evidence. ‘ Vour scenery is stupendous, particularly the wonders of Wairakei,” remarked Mr. C. Stanford Cost, as-sistant-manager of the Royal Hawaiian Hotel, Honolulu, the present possessor of the glow-worm. “And your caves —they are very beautiful. I read a copy of THE SUN in the light of the glow-worms. Now I’m taking one little fellow back to Honolulu with me as proof in case there are any ‘doubting Thomases.’ ” Mr. Cost has been to New Zealand exploiting the position regarding reciprocal tourist traffic between Hawaii and New Zealand and New Zealand and Hawaii. Every year thousands of tourists visit Hawaii and often desire to go further afield. Mr. Cost will talk to them of the beauties of New Zealand and in that way create an interest which will eventually lure tourists to the Dominion. “A big new steamer, the Malolo (Flying Fish) will soon make her maiden trip to Hawaii from San Francisco,” said Mr. Cost. “ She can carry 650 first-class passengers and will do the trip from San Francisco to Honolulu in four days. The ship has been specially built for tourist traffic. “When New Zealand has been properly placed and people are interested in it, you will get them. People do not know what there is in your Dominion.” Mr. Cost is in a position to send many wealthy people to New Zealand. The company by which he is employed controls three large hotels in Honolulu, and every year thousands of tourists pass through his hands. The New Zealand Tourist Bureau has consented to his acting as agent for the Dominion in Honolulu, and he says he will do it willingly. “By just mentioning New Zealand casually and telling people things about it, I can make them ask questions, and once their interest has been roused tourists will want to visit your country,” remarked Mr. Cost. And one did not doubt it. He has an engaging manner and his enthusiasm for New Zealand knows no bounds. “I think I* have seen more of your Dominion than any other human being,” he said to-day before he sailed on the Tofua.