VANDALS AT MILFORD SOUND.

Auckland Star, Volume LVI, Issue 66, 19 March 1925, Page 13

VANDALS AT MILFORD SOUND.

(To the Editor.) Sir, —In drawing the attention of readers to the decision "of Cabinet to permit a private company to harness the famous Bowen Falls at Milford Sound for the purpose of manufacturing nitrates, the "Star' has rendered a public service. This matter hag received a good deal of attention in Southern papers since the decision of Cabinet became known, and the project has met with almost complete disapproval. To those who have not visited Milford Sound the matter may not seem of much moment. Indeed, to most people Milford Sound is merely "a beautiful place"' — only a very fortunate few have visited it. This is due partly to the heavy expense of travelling such a great distance from Auckland, and partly because the difficulty of doing "the most wonderful walk in the world" has been greatly exaggerated. It should be remembered, however, that this wonderful region was reserved by a far-seeing and idealistic Government as a playground for New Zealanders for all time. The Bowen Falls are situated at the head of the Sound at a short distance from the old Sutherland accommodation house. Its source lies in an unseen glacier in the Barren. Ranges. It falls in the first drop a distance of 70ft, and then, leaping far out of a rocky basin. In a most remarkable manner, falls another 470 ft in one magnificent drop. Like all the attractions of Milford Sound, the Bowen Falls are never forgotten. The writer visited the district in 1922. and his desire to see again the marvellous- beauties of this place has never ceased and: never shall. Its beauty is the beauty of which Keats so finely speaks in Endymion":— "A thing of beauty is a Joy for ever, Its loveliness increases: It will never pass Into nothingness ; but still will keep A bower quiet for us, and a sleep Full Of sweet dreams, and health, and quiet breathing." Cabinet has decided that Milford Sound shall be commercialised. The waters of Bowen Falls will leap not to delight the heart of man and harmonise" with the glories of Nature, but to nil the pockets - of private speculators. Nitrates may be most necessary for agriculture in. New Zealand, and they may be cheaply manufactured at Milford Sound. But this does not appear to be a very good reason why a national reserve dedicated to the people oiiould be desecrated, in this manner. The Government by its action in this matter has indicated that it sees no harm in handing over to. a few private I speculators what It merely holds in. trust for all the individual citizens of New Zealand. Is it not reasonable to demand that matters of this kind shall be referred to the representatives of the people in Parliament? I hope that our local members will take the necessary action to assert their right as representatives to be heard when such a vital prlnefple is at stake.—l am, etc., KAEOKO.