KOPARA HOT SPRINGS

Greymouth Evening Star, 10 December 1927, Page 8

KOPARA HOT SPRINGS

NEED FOR ROAD ACCESS. “If a three-mile road is made to the Kopara Springs, they will become the poor man’s hot springs of Canterbury,’’ said Mr T. E. Coates at yesterday’s meeting of the Chamber of Commerce, when the question of improvements to the scenic spots of the Kopara Hot Springs was discussed. Mr McLean stated that the local tourist official, "Mr Dollimore, had gone to a great amount of trouble to give the springs as much publicity as possible. The means of access were poor, and if these could be improved it would open up one of the finest tourist resorts on the Coast. “The opening up of the Springs will have a great effect on tourist traffic to the Coast,” said Mr P. C. Heaphy. The means of access should be made greater. There was no question that a large number of people would avail themselves of the opportunity of visiting the spot. A grant of £lOOO had been placed on ,the Estimates. If the road could be extended to Lake Kopara, it w'ould prove one of the finest trips on the Coast, and they would have something to work for. It was one of the most important works of the Works Department, and the County Council had passed a resolution regarding it as important and necessary work. It only needed the support of the Tourist Department to make the spot famolls. In reply to a question from Mr McLean, Mr Heaphy stated that the grant from the Government was about to be confirmed. Mr McLean pointed out that the Tourist Department had voted £2O for improvement in the accommodation hut at the Springs. It should be the duty of the Chamber to urge on the Public Works Department the necessity for further improvement work. Mr Coates : We should apply for a grant of £3OO from them. If this road were made it would prove the poor man’s Hot Springs of Canterbury. Visitors could get off at Moana and be at the Springs in half-an-hour., and the trip was within the means of the average man. It was the equal of Rotorua. The country was also fine sporting country, with plenty of deer, mountain climbing. Had Sir Arthur Guin ness lived another year, it is probable the road would have been completed. He thought the Tourist Department should be approached and asked for a grant of £3OO to put the track from Lake Haupiri to the Springs in order. Mr Naylor remarked that the local Tourist Officer, Mr Dollimore, desei-ved great credit for the work he had done in connection with the Springs.

It was decided that the Tourist Department be approached with a view to obtaining a grant for the work of improving the means of access to the Kopara Hot Springs, and that a letter of appreciation be sent to Mr Dollimore, a copy of which will be forwarded to the Head Office.