WEST COAST.

Press, Volume LXVI, Issue 19917, 2 May 1930, Page 14

WEST COAST.

ROADING ADVANCES. TOURIST COMMISSIONER'S '* INSPECTION. To become more closely acquainted with the latest developments in the Beef ton, Nelson, Westport, GreymOuth, Hokitika, and South Westland districts, Mr L. J. Schmitt, the New Zealand Trade and Tourist Commissioner to Australia, and Mr 0. W« Clinkard, general manager of the Tourist, Industries and Commerce, and Publicity Departments, have together spent some days visiting the scenic and tourist resorts of the West Coast. Particularly impressed with the road-making advances on the Coast, they arrived in Christchurch last evening. Mr Clinkard went on to Wellington, but Mr Schmitt is staying in the City over the week-end to meet manufacturers and others interested in trade with Australia. He expects to leave Wellington on May 23rd to take op his work in Sydney. "The most pronounced development on the Coast was the completion of the new road from Westport t«> Greymouth, along which can be seen some of the most magnificent seascapes it is possible to see," Mr Schmitt told a reporter of Ths Press last evening. "Travelig I the road we passed the Punakaiki blowhole, which is surrounded by rock in a most curious formation. The strata, about four inches thick, are piled some ISO feet high like a mats of pancakes, one on top of the other. This road will undoubtedly be a groat asset to the West Coast as a tourist resort." . Fox CHader Bead Paaeaule.. The second very satisfactory, thing which Mr Schmitt noticed was that the road from Hokitika to the Fo* glacier was now passable at almost any time of the year. There i* only one bridge now to be completed. The .fact that this road was now passable should ■ fears of any motorists that they might be delayed pn the. trip. ; - ; ~, "We also'noticed that, the road from Beefton to the' Maruia hot-springs was in good order," added Mr Schmitt. "Jt will be very useful for motorists making the direct trip when the road over the Lewis saddle is finished." In addition to revising their 1 know*' ledge of the tourist resorts, Mr Schmitt] and Mr Clinkard looked into' the question of the export of certain "goods which the Coast sells to Australia.

During bii visit to Christchurch* Mr Schmltt hopes to get into touch With individuals and businesses interested directly or indirectly in the tourist trade and export traffic to Australia. After a brief stay in the City he will visit other towns in the south of the' South Island, and also certain tourist resorts east opt the Southern Alps- and in Southland. ,-. <.