STEWART ISLAND

Evening Star, Issue 22721, 7 August 1937, Page 12

STEWART ISLAND

ERECTION OF HOSTEL IMPROVED STEAMER SERVICE GOVERNMENT TO BE APPROACHED The Government is to he approached by the South Islands Travel A:-socia-tion to erect a modern hostel on Stewart Island and lor a better steamer service. This decision was reached at the meeting of the JExecutivo Council or the association last night, the general opinion being that the tourist possibilities of the island could he soundly exploited by the erection of a properlyequipped accommodation house, a better service across Foveaux Strait, and more publicity. The Mayor of Invercargill (Mr John Miller) pointed out that if the Government took as much interest in Stewart Island as it did in Rotorua the island would be crammed with tourists. The discussion was introduced by Mr J. J. W. Pollard, the director of the association. Ho said tha,t recently a meeting in Invercargill discussed the claims ot Stewart Island to additional publicity and to attention generally at tho hands of the Government. It was interesting to note that one speaker, in advocating the establishment of a Government hostel on the island, said that if it were established the island would obtain a larger alia re of Government publicity. Mr Pollock stated that Stewart Island had outstanding attractions, and Invercargill’s interests from a tourist viewpoint were bound up in the island’s success. The problem so far as the island was concerned was threefold—(a) improved connections across Foveaux Strait; (b) improved accommodation; (c) more publicity. In the last-mentioned case tho association could assist effectively. An up-to-date hostel would help Stewart Island trade immensely, and the executive should consider the advisability of supporting this plea to the Government. Briefly, the history of the steamer connection, was that the Bluff Harbour Board supplied a service with its tug, Theresa Ward, for some years, and then purchased a combined tug and passenger, motor vessel. She was not satisfactory, and the board reverted to a tug, the cross-strait service being now maintained by a privately-owned vessel. A Government hostel and increased traffic might induce a subsidy large enough to make the use of a more suitable vessel possible.

Mr C. H. Clibborn said' that the island was on’e of the real drawcards of the south from the scenic viewpoint.

Mr Miller: Tho attitude of the Government, I understand, is that the erection of the hostel is a matter for private enterprise. The council decided to place the proposals before, the Government, A SCENIC ROAD. The scenic coast road between Dunedin and Invercargill was later discussed by the council. Mr Pollard said that the road was one of the important opportunities of the south, and improvements to the road, especially on the way to Curio Bay, would be beneficial in opening up a weird and interesting spot with its fossilised trees. Mr G. J. Errington said that’ the formation of this road had been advocated by him over a period of years. The coast road would make the journey between Dunedin and Invercargill entrancingly interesting, especially so as one could choose two different routes. He would certainly support the scheme wholeheartedly. The chairman (Rev. E. T. Cox)': Can one drive through to Invercargill by way of the Gatlins district?

Mr Errington: Yes, hut I understand that the road is in a poor condition. The council is to approach the Government and place the scheme for the road before it.