WAITOMO CAVES

Dominion, Volume 19, Issue 166, 10 April 1926, Page 8

WAITOMO CAVES

RECORD BUSINESS AT EASTER HUNDREDS TURNED AWAY FROM HOSTEL “Dominion” Special. Auckland, April 9. The number of visitors to the Waitomo Caves during Easter was a record m the history of that popular resort, and the total inadequacy of the accommodation provided by the Government hostel was again demonstrated, several hundred would-be guests being turned away. Bookings had been closed over six weeks prior to Easter, and consequently the Te Kuiti and Otorohanga hotel's and boarding houses were soon refusing guests, while a private house at Waitomo accommodated 25 tourists. Even the contractors engaged in the erection of ’ new staff quarters at the hostel made shakedowns in their camp for the sightseers. There was a large number of campers on the Waitomo River flat. The motor traffic has never been so heavy to the caves as over the weekend. Fifty-five cars, besides service cars and buses, were parked at Ruakuri and Aranui Caves on Easter Saturday morning, while on Easter Sunday the number was 67. There were ISO visitors to the caves on Good Friday, 400 on Easter Saturday, and 350 on' Sunday. At the present rate of progress with the building it is probable that the new hostel will not be ready by next season In that event, and taking into account the large annual increase in tourist traffic and the impetus the opening of the new road direct from Te Kuiti to Waitomo will give, accommodation there is certain to be even more overtaxed than this year.