WINTER SPORTS IN NEW ZEALAND.

Press, Volume LXVII, Issue 14193, 6 November 1911, Page 9

WINTER SPORTS IN NEW ZEALAND.

STATEMENT BY SIR JOSEPH WARD.

A stat€rnc:it on the subject of winter sports in New Zealand, arising out of tho interview with Captain Head, published in "The Press" on Friday, and '•The* Press" article thereon, was made by Sir Josoph Ward to a representative of this paper.

Sir Joseph said that a consignment of skis had* been wooured for .Mount Cook, au<l had been in uso last year, but they did not arrive until after Captain Head's visit. The sport proved popular, and cinematograph pictures were >.iken Sy the Government photographer, ar.d these were being shown by the Tourist at the Industrial Exhibition now held in Christchurch. Another consignment ot skis was on order, and would arrive from Norway in lime for us© next winter. Sir Josoph added that last season an attempt was made by a private eo:r.pnny to yet up wint.T snorts at i'Yiirlii-.'but only preliminary work was carried out. It was intended, however, to carry out the scheme during tho coming winter. Tho snorts to bo pro-vidc-d''would include skating, ski-infi, and tobogannint;, and it was also intended to have built a motor slcdjre for uso at Fnirlie as part of tho winter urnus-'ments.

Roirardirtc; Nasohy, the Prime Minister said thot winter sports were in full suing tliero last winter, and moving pictures of curling and .skating were taken by the Government yhotoand would ho shown this «<H>k at the Industrial Exhibition.

In regard to tho matter of providing winter sunusi>ments for tho people closer to Christchurch, Sir Joseph said that the Tourist Department was making every endeavour to populariso the trip to the Waimakariri glaciers, tho intention being to inako it a pleasurable week-end trip. A competent man had been otit to f:x the sites for tracks and lir.tr.. but through bad weather the man had to come back without accomplishing: his mission. _ However, ho would bo sent up again next week, ar.d as soon as his report was rereived the huts would be erected and tho tracks constructed.