WAITOMO CAVES.

Auckland Star, Volume LVI, Issue 261, 4 November 1925, Page 8

WAITOMO CAVES.

THE HOSTEL CRITICISED. URGENT NEED OF IMPROVEMENT. Complaints have been made by tourists of the welcome given them at Waitomo, and of the quality of the food there. Many tourists have expressed their disapproval of the general reception given them, describing the system as one of routine. In striking contrast, they say, is the conduct of the guides, of whom they apeak with the highest commendation. The Waitomo caves are seven miles from Hangatiki. There are three systems of Caves in the district; the Waitomo caves proper, famous for their glow worms; the Ruakuri caves, with strange arches and rushing waters; and the Aranui caves, which contain gigantic stalagmites and | stalactites. Every year over 15,000 people pay a pilgrimage to these shrines of Nature. Waitomo is situated in magnificent country, and it is not surprising, commented a visitor who spent last week-end there, that so many visit the caves in the course of a year. "But," he added, "the Government management of the caves, as exemplified in the accommodation at the hostel, calls for immediate remedy. It costs a minimum of £3 to see the caves and the gross revenue is in the vicinity of £50,000 a year. The tariff at the hostel is 17/6 a day, and the charges made for visiting the caves are: 16/ for entering the caves; 1/ for hoots and £1 for bus expenses." The famous glow worm cave, he said, was situated only five minutes away from the hostel, hut the Ruakuri anil Aranui caves are distant a couple of miles. The complaint of most tourists, however, is not against the bus charges, which are regarded as comparatively reasonable; nor is it against the charge for cave entrance fees; but against the accommodation and hospitality provided at the hostel. Many kinds of tourists visit the caves and the critics entirely disclaim any intention of invidious comparison or fault-finding: but consider that it is reasonable to expect visitors to he given a good impression of New Zealand's wonders, especially when they are directed under Government manage- . ment.