BEAUTIES OF WAITOMO

Evening Post, Volume CVI, Issue 28, 2 August 1923, Page 6

BEAUTIES OF WAITOMO

NOT SUFFICIENTLY ADVERTISED

IMPRESSION OF 'AMERICAN

Visitors.

(BI TELEa»APH,~«PBCjAI tO 1B« *0SI.) AUCKLAND, This Day.' Two interesting, visitors, both well known in the scientific .world, made a short stay in Te Kuiti recently for tha purpose of inspecting the Waitomo Caves. They aro Dr. G. A. L. Marshall, Director of the Imperial Bureau of En* tomology, and Dr. E. J. Butler, Director of the Imeprial Bureau of Mycology. The latter is a plant pathologist, with a record of research work in India. Both are on their way to attend the Pan* Pacific Science Congress. In reply to a request for their impressions of' New Zealand, both were unanimous in stating that the Dominion was the most prosperous of any country they had seen since leaving England. Wlule Canada was still suffering an acute depression, in New Zealand^ there was a general appearance of well-being, and an absence of poverty among the people. Considering the short time the country had been occupied by white people, the progress had been marvellous, and was a great tribute to the spirit and enterprise of the colonists.

Dr. Marshall stated that Rotorua is a wonderful place, and when it was better known in Britain arid America ib would attract a-large number of tourists. What was of special interest to him, however, was the glow worm caveat Waitoino, for it was something unique in the scientific 'world. While glow worms were to be found i n other parts of the world those at Waitoino were a distinct species, having totally different habits from any others. Both visitors were most enthusiastic in regard to the beauties of the Aranui Cave, and they could not understand why the Government did not advertise these caves in overseas countries. In looking over the visitors' book at the hotel they came across a remark by an American that if the caves were properly advertised they would attract not SOOO visitors but 80 - 000. They stated that this was also then' opinion. Large numbers of visitors to Rotorua never came to'the caves, as they did not know of them. In their opinion the caves should be advertised at Rotorua. On their voyage to New Zealand in the Makura, there were a large number of tourists for Botorua but only one stated his intention of visiting the Waitomo Caves; in fact many had never heard of these wonders of Nature.

i '7, can"ot understand," said Dr. Marshall, why more is 'not done to advertise the great possibilities this wonderful little country has in the way of scenic resorts. We have not S ee n » *reat deal, but what we have makes us "realise that this is a wonderful country ir every ,way. ■ The work that is being done in Boto--IS,-l'!t 'iV thl-\ a-v °*-afforestation called torth the highest commendation of the visitors; in fact, they considered its kind they had seen m any country and showed great foresight on the part of the Government. Trees new to this country irom all parts of the world were being planted, and. the majority of them were doing well."