American Interest In Southern Lakes

Press, Volume CVIII, Issue 31786, 17 September 1968, Page 1

American Interest In Southern Lakes

(New Zealand Press Association) INVERCARGILL, September 16. American interest had been expressed in southern lakes district property for tourism, the Commissioner of Crown Lands (Mr J. S. Engel) confirmed today.

He confirmed also that his department has continuing interest in developing not only farmlands but tourism wherever possible. The department would certainly investigate any firm proposition, but had not received a firm proposition in this case, said Mr Engel. A tourist lodge idea was associated with a visit by an American to a Lands Department area up the Upukerora River.

However, that appeared to be mainly a reconnaissance visit, said Mr Engel. The man, believed to have had talks later in Wellington, also inspected other northern Southland localities, and the Wakaipu district.

Walter Peak “Something could well be going on,” said Mr Engel. “But we have no knowledge

of what he settled on—if ,he has settled on anything.” The department was always ready to co-operate with anyone who had a reasonable proposition, he said, referring to the part played by the department when Lake Wakatipu’s Walter Peak Station changed hands in February.

The historic and scenic ,57,343-acre Walter Peak was taken over by an Englishman, Mr George Wiles. It is mainly a pastoral lease. “We tailored our lease to suit requirements for both farming and tourism,” said Mr Engel.