THE TONGARIRO PARK.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LVIII, Issue 17843, 26 July 1921, Page 6

THE TONGARIRO PARK.

NEED FOR DEVELOPMENT.

LACK OF ACCOMMODATION.

OPPORTUNITIES MISSED.

An address on the subject of the Tongariro National Park was given to the Rotary Club yesterday by Professor R. M. Algie, of the Auckland University College, who dealt in some detail with the development work necessary t-o make this mountain playground available as a health and pleasure resort.

" There as ample evidence," said Professor Algie, " of a growing desire on the part of the public to secure the rapid development of the National Park. The existing accommodation—consisting as ft does of a few scattered huts—is already proving inadequate. Huts are all very well for enthusiastic people who are willing to endure any sort of discomfort because they believe there is sufficient recompense in the glories of a mountain holiday. But the present type of accommodation offers no inducement to the great bulk of holiday-seekers, and' is utterly useless to the visitor from overseas.

Notwithstanding its scenic possibilities, New Zealand boasts of hardly a single w.inter holiday ground outside of the Hot Lakes district. The tourist resorts of this country are an asset of immense value, •and they could be the means of introducing considerable wealth to the Dominion. The National Park is on tho highway of tourist travel in the North Island, yet owing to its neglected condition visitors are forced to pass it by with no more than a mere fleeting glance. In the South Island a special highwav of travel was evolved in order that the beauties of the Southern Alps might become accesstbleHo the public at large, and this specially-designed route necessitates some 300 miles of motor-car travelling. In the North Island we have an area certainly less attractive than the Alps, but with a charm of its own; yet our tourists are allowed to miss rit owing to there being no place within the park where they oar. stay. " The North Island has undoubtedly a just claim to recognition in this respect. What is needed is a little more vigour in our appeals to the Government and a little more direct and united public interest in these appeals." As exemplifying the manner in which opportunities were missed, Professor Algie stated that on an average 12 overseas visitors per week passed along the main road at the foot of the mountains on their way between Rotoma, Taupo, and the Main Trunk line. They were, therefore, within six miles of the summits of the three mountains. Yet, owing to there being no accommodation they could not stop over, and, therefore, coald not enjoy the scenery of the park.