THE EASTERN RUSH

Evening Post, Volume CXI, Issue 85, 10 April 1926, Page 8

THE EASTERN RUSH

ACCOMMODATION OVERTAXED

(By Telegraph.)

(Special to "The Evening Post.")

AUCKLAND, This Day

Of late there have been several complaints regarding the inadequate ac ommodation at the Waitomo Caves. The number of visitors to the caves during Easter was a record, and the inadequacy of the accommodation t -ovided by the Government hostel was again demonstrated. Several hundred wouldbe guests were turned away. The bookings had been closed more than six weeks before Easter, and consequently the Te Kuiti and Otorohanga Hotels 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 shake-downs in their camp for sight-seers. There was a large number of campers on the Waitomo Eiver Flat. Motor traffic to the caves has never been so heavy as during the weekend. Fifty-five cars, besides service cars and buses, were parked at the Euakura and Aranui Caves on Easter Saturday morning, while on Easter Sunday the number was 67.

During Easter, 1925, 100 people visited the three caves on Good Friday, 220 on Easter Saturday, and 300 on Easter Sunday.- This constituted a record which now, however, has been surpassed. There were 180 visitors to the caves oil Good Friday, 400 on Easter Saturday, and 350 on Sunday; and 170 ■tourists lunched at the hostel on Easter Sunday, compared with 100 on Easter Sunday of last year. The dining-room accommodates only 50 guests. 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, taking into . account the large annual increase in the tourist traffic which the road direct from Te Kuiti to Waitomo will give, the accommodation there is certain to be even more overtaxed than this year.