MILFORD TRACK.

Press, Volume LXIII, Issue 18922, 10 February 1927, Page 3

MILFORD TRACK.

DISAPPOINTED DOCTORS. STATEMENT BY MINISTER. The Hon. Mr Nosworthy, Minister in cluirgc of tlic Tourist Department stilted yesterday that he had made enquiries iuto tlio happenings at Milford Sound in connexion with the proposed trip over the track, of the Australian doctors. A telegraphic report had just eome to hand from-the track manager, and the Minister was satisfied that everything possible had been doue by the Department in Wellington to ensure the success of the trip. Arrangements had been made with the Customs and- Health Departments to relax certain regulations and facilitate the landing of the passengers, the Minister said. This should have taken place on Sunday at daylight, and the Department's launch was on the.spot in time. The launch men waited in the Sound for 14 hours, and thero being no sign of the Moernki, they then went on shore. The ship's signals nest day were not heard by the launch men, and she was approximately 24 hours late.

It seemed to the Minister from tlic facts placed before him, that the trouble had been caused by a combination of circumstances; 'first, the fire at Sandfly Iluts, which had upset arrangements and caused the track manager to leave for Invcrcargill qnd second, the delay in the ship's arrival. He was of opinion that the expected late arrival of the vessel could have been made known by wireles?, in which case the launch men would have been advised by the Department, even had it been necessary to send a special steamer up Lake ToAnau with'the news. As a mutter of fact, after it became known that the ship was a day late, the General Manager, who was in Invcrcargill, did arrange for a special steamer on Lake Tc Anau, and for special motors to be in waiting. Further, it was difficult to understand why, when the launch did not put in an appearance, some attempt was not made to land the party in tinship's boats, as be wa.s informed thai tin- weather was calm. There might, of course, be some reason for this, of which he was not aware. He and his ollicers were naturally concerned over the failure of the trip, not-only on account of the value to the Dominion of tlic advertisement, but also because of the' apparent lack of curtesy to our distinguished visitors, which the incident might imply. He had, however, now authorised his Department' to extend to all the visiting doctors an invitation to visit the track as the guests of the Government. If they could not. after the conference, do the whole track, then the Department's oflicers would be glad to arrange for them to go as far as the Mackiniion Saddle and back.