TOURIST RESORTS,

Dominion, Volume 1, Issue 108, 30 January 1908, Page 5

TOURIST RESORTS,

REMARKS BY SIR JOHN MADDEN. ' (or xiuottApn—pekss association.) Chrlstchurch, January '29. • Sir John Madden, tho Chief .Justice of Victoria, has many pleasant things to say in regard to the tourist resorts of the 1 North Island which ;ho has visited during the last week or two; but he'has also some criticism to offer. ''J have nothing but admiration for tho hospitality, kindness, and courtesy of tho people I mot," he. said when Bpeaking to a representative of the "Times." "Rotorua is beautiful and admirably arranged, and tho hotel at which wo stayed thoro was as good as any I have mot in the world. Tho rail-1 way' accommodation generally, however, is very bad. Everybody did the best they could for, us, but tho arrangements are not good. The trains always started so early in the morning that we did not get any breakfast. The food along the lino was not easily got, and was not very attractive when secured; and the train arrived late in tho evening just as dinner was on the table. In some places there was only ono bath for a ft.v or sixty people, and nobody who wanted iny dinner could get a bath. Details of that aort must receive attention if a large tourist traffic is to be developed. We wero delighted to get to Rotorua and find that there things , were all different. The Government lias every reason to bo gratified at the result of state management of the township. " The Wanganui River is very beautiful indeed, but the boat in which visitors have to'traverse the uppor readies is quite unworthy of the scenic attractions of the River. The boat makes no provision at all for tho convenience of ladies. There is not even a sufficient supply of deck chairs. I don't think the condition of affairs would bo allowed in any other country. The steamers used on the river below Pipiriki aro much bettor."