HANMER SPRINGS.

Press, Volume LIX, Issue 11243, 8 April 1902, Page 3

HANMER SPRINGS.

SUGGESTED "IMPROVEMENTS

For many years Mr;'A:'"B. Robinson, commercial editor of the Melbourne'"Age," lias "regularly spent a portion of nis annual holiday at Hanmer Springs, and,as a conr sequence he has taken a large amount oi interest in the Sanatorium. '• ' Chatting with a representative of 'Sjlhe Press," Mr Robinson remarked that '"the improvements which have been effected have added considerably, to the .comfort of visitors, but there still remains'the old difficulty in connection with' the" nte-ans of getting*to the Springs, and,the length of time occupied by the journey. • In both theso. particulars, he considers,, there is muoh room and necessity for improvement. During the tourist season they siould most decidedly, be altered. A through express from Christohurch to Culverden. and from Culverden to Christchuroh shotT.d. be .run. once or twice a week during the season, and arrangements should be' made for tbe quicker conveyance of tourists from Culverden.to Hammer than that which at present, exists. The coach service, Mr Robinson thinks, is out of detp,' and the convenience of travellers is not so' much studied as it might be. The coach should be.waiting horsed at the-station on the arriyal-of the train, and, whilst the passengers 'are taking twenty minutes for refreshments, the baggage could be packed and a start made punctually at 12.30. 'The distance between Culverden and Hanmer- - ought to be done in three or three and a half hours at the most, with a change- at the Ferry. The accommodation houses,,both at.Culverden and the Ferry, require sqme attention.

The .road to Hanmer should be diverted in order to obviate the necessity for crossing the Percivail, Rogerson, anil Hanmer Rivers. 'J his could be done by taking tbe road a'.ong the south bank of tne Hanmer to opposite Joliie's Pass, where a bridge over the Hanmer -would avoid all dangers in flood time. Mr Robinson also expressed surprise at the apathy shown by Christcliureb. people in connection with the Springs. They have, he.says, a,veritable Carlsbad, which, only wants proper develop■fent to induce a large influx of visitors rand invalids from Australia. These would naturally spend from eight to ten pounds in the city, which wouf.a , add to the business of the city. The Superintendent of. Health and Tourist Besorts should visit the locality and Investigate the state of affairs at the accommodation houses especially. There ought also to be some sort of supervision of the coach service in order that proper accommodation, is available.