The Guardian (And Evening Star, with which is incorporated the West Coast Times.) THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 16, 1939. LATENT ASSET.

Hokitika Guardian, 16 February 1939, Page 4

The Guardian (And Evening Star, with which is incorporated the West Coast Times.) THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 16, 1939. LATENT ASSET.

The peculiar qualities of the scenic assets in South Westland are again brought to mind by a Report from f an oversea visitor, Dr. H. Schmidt, who after visiting the Franz Josef region, has enlarged on the need for better access 1 to the ski-ing ground at the head of the glacier, pnd extending south to Mt. Tasman, at the head of the Fox glacier. In-European and'other countries with readily accessible mountain districts, and having ski grounds, the asset valu'e' of such possession's is remarkable. In Switzerland, for instance, the whole country relies on the tourist trade for the major portion of the annual revenue. Those acquainted with European conditions, and who have visited the southern glacier regions, have called attention to the superior! position of New Zealand in the situation and accessibility to the high country, and pointed out more should be done to popularise the locations with the holiday traffic which is to be attracted to the Dominion. Dr. Schmidt is the latest to dilate on the possibilities, and to bring up again the matter of access to the high hills by an aerial ropeway. The project of a mountain railway has been mentioned previously, and was understood to find favour with high authorities. Many months have passed, though it is < some survey work was done. It may be that the cost was considered j prohibitive, but such, a project Has so j much to commend it that the matter ( should not be lost sight of. Probably less costly methods than an aerial railway could bo considered, and the suggested ropeway might have consideration. Now that road access to the Franz Josef glacier is being complet-. ed, the next step is to consider assistance for visitors to reach the heights. For many, mountaineering is too strenuous, and much is lost by those j who miss the sights and scenes from high altitudes. An easy way of reaching the snowfields would soon become j popular, and ski-ing would develop | quickly as a natural consequence. The latent possibilities to result from action to that end.are very great. In j the high country there is a very extensive snpwfield to travel over. Those

familiar with the locations have claimed that there is a field some miles in

extent which could be developed, anc? so provide one of the most notable skiing grounds in the world. With an asset such as that ready at hand, New Zealand should not neglect its development. The tourist traffic could he enhanced greatly if such a possession were made available and noised abroad. The country is spending many thousands of pounds annually in "most favoured scenic resorts in the Dominion, and with claims such as South Westland has for the development of its natural wonderland, the authorities might well turn attention in this direction, and apportion a substantial sum annually to mountain development. The novelty of many North Island resorts is wearing off and a new note should he struck to attract more people to tne South Island where so much of nature’s handiwork is to be seen t admired and enjoyed. In particular, this development of a great skiing ground for the whole world should be taken in hand.