Lake Wakatip Mail QUEENSTOWN, TUESDAY, JANUARY 24 1911, TOURISTS AND THEIR NEEDS. Contrasts and Appreciations.

Lake Wakatip Mail, Issue 2903, 24 January 1911, Page 4

Lake Wakatip Mail QUEENSTOWN, TUESDAY, JANUARY 24 1911, TOURISTS AND THEIR NEEDS. Contrasts and Appreciations.

Queenstown and the Lakes District generally are largely, if not solely, dependent upon the Tourist traffic and those who come to reside with us for more or less lengthy periods. It follows, therefore, that our own local authorities and the Government especially, should systematically and effectively provide to do everything that is reasonably possible in order to encouragp, foster and increase that traffic. Are we doing this, either as a community or as a Government? We regret that the question must be answered in the negative. The permanent resideats in this -town and throughout the Lake district have a magnificent and unsurpassable scenic asset in their keeping. These are not the words of biased and interested partisanship but a modest summary of opinions that have been spontaneously given by men who from their knowledge of other parts of this Dominion and of the old end new worlds are competent to speak. A well-known New Zealand magistrate recently said in our hearing: " I have been to Rotorua and the Hot Lakes and 1 have admired and been startled by its weirdness, its strangely fantastic manifestations and its unique wonders but I have no desire to see them again. Once is quite sufficient for me. Rut this is my third visit to the Cold Lakes and 1 hope to come many times more.' 1 Similar testimony is given—freely and gratefully—by our late distinguished visitor, Mr Wade, ex-Premier of New South Wales. In the course of an interview with a representative of the 'Otage Daily Times' Mr Wade said : "It has been a very enjoyable fortnight's tour," and I think it only fair to siy that, admitting all ihe attractions of the North Island in respect of its wonderful Hot Lakes region, the south is the place to come to for a trip that is bcth educational and bracing. Nor did he hesitate to make a slight comparison between the famous Rlue Mountains of New South Wales and the scenery he had just seen. "The Blue Mountains remarked Mr Wade, " present very grand scenery, but one doesn't obtain the same height and the same mountains, and there is an absence of snow and the streams are much more limited in number and volume." It is not necessary to pile Prlion on Ossa in this regard. We ;\re confident that there is nothing in the whole of Australasia and little, if anything, in Switzerland or Norway to turpass the awe-inspiring mountain peaks, the rushing torrents, the bush clid gorges, the tree clad glens of Fiordland. It is an education and a revelation to the observer where, for the first time in his or her life, Mt Earnslaw and Cosmos and Nox and Cerberus and other snow clad peaks rise in majesty before them as the steamer turns the elbow of Lake Wakatipu. And knowing this we ask : What are the Government and Queenstown doing to make them known and to bring them within reach of the masses of the people as well as before the notice of well-to-do tourists ?

Government Neglect. At the outset we affirm that the Government has not done its duty to Lake Wakatipu district. Mr Millar has raised the cost of travel (which is a plain violation of the policy that has hitherto governed the conduct of the Government railways), ho has continued the absurd restrictions relating to the dates up to which reduced price tickets can be purchased—thus crushing the greater part of the traffic into the few weeks at Christmas and New Year—and the Government of which he is a member is spending a disproportionate amount in booming Rotorua at the cost of Wakatipu. We do not ask that one penny pieca less should be spent on the Hot Lakes District but we do contend that a few extra thousands of pounds spent in making known the Gold Lakes to the people of the Motherland, Australia and the United States, and in providing attractions, conveniences and, perhaps, adequate accommodation, would be money well spent. We looked and still look to the Hon. T. Mackenzie to do something for us. He knows our needs and appreciates the necessity of meeting them. Why, then, .should we lie for ever beggiug and appealing and expostulating ? Take so simple a matter as the branch offices of the Tourist Department. They lack nearly everything they should not lack. A Queenstown visitor (Mr Feejc, K.C.) complains thiough the Press of the ignorance displayed l>y the officials at the Tourist bureaux on most matters not connected with their own locality. They know next to nothing about routes, prices, roads, etc. If this be the rule, and not the exception, then, Queenstown, perhaps, is as well off without as with a bureau, but wo believe it is not impossible to obtain a competent and efficient officer and such a one ought to be stationed here in the busiest part of the year if not all the time. To expatiate on bureaux blunders in regard to motoring and fishing (one party of anglers was advised that there were no trout in Lake Wakatipu !) would be a melancholy task relieved, only by the irrepresil.le laughter so strange a record of ineptitude is bound to p:ovoke. We need more advertisement at Home and abroad. Like the tradesman who has goods that every body will buy but who cannot push their sale for want of capital we are restricted, hampered and passed by through Goverment negligence and official incapacity. Then there is the very important cjuestion of providing better facilities for reaching famous beauty spots. Mr Wade touched i

kindly but plainly on two of these. The uncertainty of the fordableness of the Dart makes the trip via the Routeburn Valley too doubtful —although it is from the Lake Harris Saddle at the head of the valley that what Mr Wade terms " the finest and grandest view in Australasia " is is obtainable—for tourists whose time is limited to include it in their programme, and Mr Sutherland, of Sutherland Falls celebrity, appears to l>e laying down somewhat autocratic regulations for the inconvenience of visitors. Enough, however, we think has been said to prove the urgency of something being done if we would realise to the full the emoluments and benefits which our natural advantages have placed within our reach.

What Queenstown Must Do. But Government remissness and inefficiency are not the only lions in the way. We, as a community, are not doing all that we might do, and we write in all earnestness and with the best intentions in the world when we say that if Queenstown does not mend its ways it may not improbably kill the gooso that lays the golden eggs. It has been suggested that a tourut committee be formed in the town, and that it be allotted certain duties. The suggestion is a good one aud conforms to what is done in tourist centres in other parts of the world. Its objects should be to advance and protect the general interests of the borough and to promote measures calculated to further its properity and increase the pleasure of its visitors and residents. The first matter that must be attended to is that of advertising. The Lakes District is, as we stated before, most miseiably advertised in Australia and at Home and even in parts of this Dominion the special attractions of the place are but little known. It is a fact that people who have come to the Lakes District almost against the instructions of the Tourist Department, have gone away thoroughly pleased with their stay and at the same time uttering words of contempt for the small attention given the district and the measily advt. of its scenic attractions and health-giving attributes. Queenstown must therefore move in this matter and even to the extent of providing some of the means towards its own advertisement. More attractions are required, too, in the way of sport and entertainment, for the visitors when here. Another thing wants looking to and that is increased accommodation for the visitor when he comes here. It is a well-known fact that both hotels and accommodation houses have been well filled and in some cases uncomfortably so. Hundreds have not been able to get here over the holidays owing to shortage of accommodation. There is therefore any amount of scope for enterprise and especially so in view of the new steamer being on the lake in time for next season. So far a3 outside arrangements are concerned it is not asking too much to suggest that both the Borough and the County Councils should, before the season begins, see that every track (such as those up aud to Queenstown Hill, Lomond, Five Mile Point, etc.), are thoroughly gone over and cleared of tussocks, sloppy pools of mud and stagnant water, and marked so clearly that, the tourist will not have to walk as carefully and warily as if he were in the heart of a South African jungle. Here for the present we leave this most important and very real question. We do so however hope and belief that what we have written may not be in vain.

The annual Presbyterian Sunday School picnic will be held at Beach Bay on Thursday next.

145 persons took advantage of the last week-end excursion to Queenstown. A similar number went to the Head of Lake yesterday.

The Wakatipu Mounted Rifles returned on Saturday evening from the encampment of the second regiment 0.R.V., which has been held at Wyndham for the last week. They say that the encampment was of the most practical and instructive nature.

Messrs W. Reid (chairman), H. McKibbin and J. Cockburn members of the Lake County Couucil went to Duuedin this morning on matters in connection with the Lower Shotover bridge.

Mr Jas. Horn, J.P., of Bannockburn, and chairman of the Vincent County Council, has been appointed on the Wakatipu Licensing Committee in place of Mr J. L. Scott, resigned.

The Ben Lomond ascent may be considered as a moderately easy task after the following story has been told. Three youngsters of the ages of seven, nine and ten years told their parents that they were going to climb Ben Lomond. The parents, only realised what their offspring had said when they had not returned home as late as 8 o'clock in the evening. Just as a search was about to be instituted, however, the little fellows trudged in to their homes after being away for ten hours, footsore and weary, but nevertheless in high glee at having reached the summit. Through the acticn of the sun and the rough track their feet—they essayed the journey bare-footed—naturally became very sore and only temporary relief was afforded as each in their turn had the loan of the light sandals that were brought by one of the boys. Two of the children were Mr A. Domigan's and one belonged to Mr Glass, a visitor.

A local resident, Mr 11. Fisher, has growing in his garden the finest sample of red currants it has been our privilege to see. The currants or at least some of thorn are almost the as large as the wild cherry. The fruit does not lose in flavour through its size either.

Mr J. Edgar, junr., returned from one of his inland trips on Friday last. He says that tourists that have taken on the Wakatipu-Te Anau overland walk are absolutely charmed with the scenery e« route. But Mr Edgar says that there are several slight drawbacks in journeying over. These consist principally in the necessity for bridges across the Greenstone and Eglinton rivers and the regrading of some portions of the track. The track between Lake Howden and Lake Harris Saddle is still uncompleted and a very arduous climb is necessitated in taking the long way round. We understand that Mr Edgar has made representations to the Hon. Thos. Mackenzie in regard to above matters and it is hoped that the Minister will take prompt action as the season is now well on. It may be stated that a temporary chair will shortly be erected across the Greenstone river.

On Thursday last the Church of England Sunday School pic-nic, which is generally looked forward to by residents, was held at the usual spot, Bobs Cove. The number who took advantage of the trip to this favorite locality per the p.s. Mountaineer was a record one—about 238 persons. The weather promised well on starting off, but unfortunately as the first meal was being served, a slight shower came on and in the afternoon about 3 o'clock heavy rain came down and the result was that the children's races had to be abandoned. Those who had wandered away round the cove had to take shelter and await a temporary cessation of the rain to enable them to get back to the steamer. Even then several received a good wetting. Very few came in any way prepared. Notwithstanding the rain, a good many races were run amongst the children before the compulsory adjournment. Ample refreshments, of the best, were provided for the outing. The second meal was served out on the steamer on the homeward trip. Captain Robertson and his crew was, as usual, most courteous and obliging and took the usual precautions to ensure the safety of their precious freight.

At the Territorials camp at Wyndham last Wednesday, Capt. McNab presented his (the second) regiment with a silver trophy which he had especially made to his order in London. One plate on the trophy bears this inscription:—"Presented by Captain Robert McNab, first officer commanding E Squadon, Murihiku Mounted Rifles, to the 2nd Regiment, Otago Mounted Rifles, and to be held by the squadron best prepared for active service. 18th January, 1911." Another plate is for recording the names of past and present commanders of the 2nd Regiment, Otago Mounted Rifles, and it already bears the the names of " Lieut.Col. J. E: Hawkins, V.D., November 11, 1901, and Lieut.-Col. E. R. Rowler, February 6, 1907." Magistrate Rawson, in a lengthy judgment, dismissed the informations charging Westport hotelkeepers with selling liquor on 26th December, on the grounds that he considered that the Legislature, in passing the Public Holidays Act, was dealing exclusively with the question of fixing with precision what days should be treated as public holidays, and was not concerned with the question of public order, which the closing of licensed premises would infer. He further considered that to apply the Act to section 189 of the Licensing Act would, without the provision of the last three lines of the Act, have the effect of closing hotels from 10 p.m. on Sunday, and that it could not apply to the provision or proviso without making nonsense. At the Territorials camp at Wyndham a rather novel race was decided. A trooper undertook to race a horse over a mile from an even start. The horse is characterised as a stubborn animal and often will not go at all unless paced. The pedestrian's luck was apparently in, as he had covered over three furlongs before the horse started. Even then the horse refused to made an attempt to catch the man, and it stopped every few hundred yards. The pedestrian came in an easy winner by about three furlongs amidst much cheering. The race was for a small wager. —' Herald.' The Wyndham ' Farmer' in its notes on the Territorial encampment says:—" There is a remarkably fine specimen of a trooper whose native heather is on t'other side of the Remarkables, who through this camp has made his first journey on a railway train. He got so excited over the novel experience, on boarding the Waimea Plains express at Kiugston, that on his attention being drawn to something outside, he thrust his head right through a carriage window, glass and all. Oh ! the pane and the pain."—Wonder who it was.—Ed. L. IP.il/".

It should be an offence, says Sir John Cockburn, for a grocer to blow open a bag in which eatables were to be placed, or to moisten his fingers in separating papers for that purpose.

Under a new rule of the Senate no student of the University College of North Wales will in future be allowed to enter any licensed premises without the special permission of the principal. A consular report on the trade of Smyrna in 1909 states that brigandage was so rife during the year that agriculturists in many districts had to keep on good terms with the brigands as a measure of protection. The Lake County Council has appointed Mr H. Upsdale as dog tax collector for the whole of Lake County. Notifications appear in this issue regarding the 1911 Sessions of the Otago Boys' and Girls' High School, Dunedin, and of the Southland High Schools. New pupils will bejenrolled for the former on the 6th February and for the latter on 31st January. For further particulars see advt. The Presbyterian Church advertises for a caretaker.