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Hokitika Guardian, 15 April 1929, Page 4

Thr provision of tracks for tonring parties and holiday makers in South Westland is a need growing out of the vogue of travellers to visit the southern glacier regions. So much publicity is now being given to the Waiho and Fox (Jlaeiers that visitors are being attracted from all parts of the world. At present the people who travel so far

may. do little more that tour the glacier itself. There is I lie need for side trips in order that more ol the surroundings may he seen. If a low tracks were opened up extra days comd he spent in exploring the surroundings, and. from vantage points, seeing scenes which are at present lost to view. The knolls about Waiho lor instance, if el imbed, afford lresh outlooks on new scenes, and as each view gives a fresh panorama of the Alps and the tracts of forest, there is a remarkaide variety of country to he seen. These are all short trips which would add days of pleasure to those enjoying them, and give the locality an enlarged reputation for scenic charm. Many folk do not care to venture too far on tin' ice, and for such, a short hush climb to one of the knobs available, will he an acceptable alternative. At the Fox Glacier there are facilities to extend the scope of one’s stay by visiting other points of interest, than tinremarkable How of ice constituting lhe g|,-icier itself. There are short hills to he climbed whence full views ot the surrounding country, including the extensive Cook’s Flat may he seen. There is also Lake Mathoson in the same locality visited by few because ot the lack of facilities, yet this wooded sheet of water reflects the high mountain range in the buok'Tnund, including Mounts Cook and Tasman. The possibilities of making such an attractive resort more of a playground, with

improved means to reach all points <u interest, are very great. On tin* last Estimates there was over fit?,(Kit) voted for Milford Sound track and hostel. This is a remote location where only r. 'fraction of the annual visitors patronising South Westland will travel, yet Milford Sound enjoys a special preference. 'I here may he good reason lor it—hut it is something which does not meet the eye. There is good reason for assisting South Westland with tourist tracks, plainly observable to all who •make the trip, anil the folk should not lie too modest in nothing their re- ■ nests lor the goods are there 'for delivery once the tracks are provided.