Better Access To Glaciers Urged

Press, Volume CIV, Issue 30740, 3 May 1965, Page 1

Better Access To Glaciers Urged

(From Our Own Reporter) HOKITIKA, May 2. The Government had spent about £600,000 on preparatory work and the construction of a hotel at Franz Josef and about £4m on the Haast Pass road to provide better facilities for visitors to the South Westland glaciers, but tourists could get a proper appreciation of the beauty of the glaciers only if a funicular railway or chair-lift were installed. Mr Mark Wallace, chairman of the Westland County Council, said this at the annual

conference of the South Island Publicity Association yesterday in support of the council’s remit that the association continue to press for first-class access to the glacier regions. The remit was passed unanimously. Unfortunately, there was a world-wide trend for glaciers to recede, and this was happening in South Westland, Mr Wallace said. It was making access to the glaciers much more difficult, and elderly and middle-aged persons were going away disappointed because they had not been able to see all the glaciers had to offer. There was no more effective way of advertising than a satisfied tourist, who told everyone about the attractions of a region, said Mr Wallace. He had advised many persons to take the ski plane flight which landed on top of the

glaciers, and all had described it as a magnificent experience. But this service was limited by the weather and the number of persons the planes could take. An aerial railway would not only enable a far greater number of tourists to get a full appreciation of the glaciers but it would also be a tourist attraction in itself. It was ideal for elderly persons, and would also attract younger visitors as it would provide access to the very extensive ski fields. Seconding the remit, Mr F. W Baillie. Mayor of Greymouth, said that the railway would not only benefit the South Island but also the whole of New Zealand. Mr A. T. Sloan, president of the South Island Local Bodies’ Association, said his organisation was fully behind the proposal. After the Government had fl

invested so much in the area it would be sheer folly not to realise fully on the investment by failing to build the railway, which would bring in additional money from tourists and help to make the Franz Josef Hotel a more profitable venture, said Mr M. Kelly (Greymouth). The snowfields at the beads of the Franz Josef and Fox glaciers were the best unexploited tourist asset in the country. Mr R. J. Warburton (Franz Josef) said there were two proposals. One was of limited scope, calling for the use of gondola-type cars up to the foot of the glacier. This was estimated to cost about £40,000. The other was much more ambitious and would give access to the main snowfields. It would be fairly costly and the engineering problems would be great, but it would be well worth it.