GLIDE AT CHURCH

Press, Volume CIX, Issue 32233, 27 February 1970, Page 1

GLIDE AT CHURCH

Tourist Firm’s Offer The Christchurch tourist firm Trans Tours, Ltd, will make an offer to the Church of the Good Shepherd, Lake Tekapo, of $lO a week to wards the salary of a perman ent caretaker-guide at the church. The firm’s managing direc | tor. Mr J. P. Cronin, said yes- - terday that he hoped other I tour operators whose coaches i call at the church would con (tribute also, so that a worthwhile salary could be paid. > “1 read in ‘The Press’ this i morning that damage was be ing done in the church bv tourists, and that the parish(loners have a big job in keepling it clean." Mr Cronin said. | He considered it the duty of l tour operators to provide I money so that the church could employ someone to keep it in good order, and tell tourists about the church, its history, and the history of the district. His firm would approach the vicar, the Rev. K. T. Davy, to see how best the fund could be used. Mr Cronin said he did not think it likely that damage and vandalism were done by coach tourists, because they were accompanied by drivers and tour guides who “kept an eye on things." | But these were other tourists, travelling privately by car.

“By having someone in attendance at the church it would not be possible for people to carry out acts of vandalism,” Mr Cronin said.