OUR SCENIC ATTRACTIONS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XLVIII, Issue 14691, 27 May 1911, Page 8

OUR SCENIC ATTRACTIONS.

A TOURIST'S IMPRESSIONS.

SOME USEFUL HINTS.

Some useful hints with regard to the management of matters in connection, with tlio tourist traffic of New Zealand's scenic attractions were, given by Mr. J. Nisbet, a. much-travelled tourist, now in. Wellington, to a Dominion reporter.

"Tho Government tourist agents," he said, " recommended strongly a visit to tho Waitomo and Ara'nui Caves, and I think their advice is fully justified, as finer limestone caves can scarcely bo imagined. Further, a well-situated, very good accommodation house has been erected close to the Waitomo Caves. The grievance lies in tho access to Waitomo. There is six miles coaching from the railway, and the so-called road is the most, execrable track it has over been my misfortune to traverse in a coach. 'There are long stretches of thick, sticky mud, into which the coach sinks nearly up to the axle, and great trenches across the track, into which the vehicle pitches. Then, to avoid some impassable quagmire, it must mount the side of tho road, to tho imminent danger of emptying tho passengers sideways into the miro or capsizing outright. This struggling, jolting, and pulling goes on for one hour and three-quarters, the time taken by a five-horse coach to cover the six miles. For tho exciting experience of a return journey on this coach ten shillings is the modest charge. The coach proprietor affirms that every representation 'has been made to have tho road improved, but without avail, and he expresses the opinion that nothing will be done until some day the coach is upset, and several people are killed.

"As a matter of fact, the day I passed an accident had taken place, a horse and cart, with the driver, having gone over the bank at a bad corner quite close to Hangatika station. The driver was lying in a serious condition in the boardinghouse close by. It should be added that there had been no rain for a week when 1' went over the road, which was therefore by no means at its worst. In view of all this the enterprising tourist would be well-advised to postpone his visit to Waitomo until something fairly resembling a road hag been provided. "But if he will go, then let him walk." Regarding the caves themselves, Air. Nisbet has nothing but words of praise. They are remarkably beautiful, and the more recently-discovered caves at Aranui are, if anything, more beautiful still. In addition to which they have not suffered from the vandalism that for so many years was, under Maori rule, permitted at Waitomo.

Of one oilier journey Mr. Nisbet speaks with no uncertain sound, namely, the Wail ganui River trip. Again ho was delighted with the scenery, but the method of seeing it ho condemned in unsparing terms. The distance from Taumarunm to Wanganui was 144 miles, arid the passage money works out at over 4d per mile record charge, surely, for steamboat travelling. But even such a charge might be forgiven could the journey be made in some degree of comfort. Referring to the launches and steamers on which ho travelled, Mr. Nisbet said : " The first launch was an open boat with canvas coverings, in case of rain, and most uncomfortable benches, that would seat between 12 and 15 passengers if they were tightly packed. It is 24 miles to the houseboat, which is well-appointed, has considerable sleeping accommodation, and a very nice diningroom. There we got a good luncheon, daintily served. Here we went on by another launch that was, if anything, more uncomfortable than the othdr one. There was no light, and for one and a-half hours the cr»ft wis navigated towards Pipiriki in the dark, at the end of the first day's journey. This part of the journey took us over some rapids. I stood by the side of the captain all the time, and I marvelled at the manner in which' ho got through the rain and the utter darkness. He evidently did not like it, and he said he must get the management to provide a, light. An ordinary light would be no usea strong, bright light is necessary for such work." Mr. Nisbet is an experienced traveller in various countries for a period of about 30 years, so his observations should carry some weight. He is only one of many tourists who have made similar complaints. Mr. Nisbet is charmed with j New Zealand, and his sole object in ventilating this matter is that reasonable improvement should be made.