THE MILFORD TRACK.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXVIII, Issue 20954, 18 August 1931, Page 8

THE MILFORD TRACK.

The Invercargill Chamber of Commerce has done well to ask the Government for a statement of the finances of the Milford Track tourist resort. This part of western Otago is certainly among the finest scenic attractions of the Dominion; perhaps it is fully entitled to its current description as "tho' finest walk in the world." But even so splendid a region should not, especially in these times, be returning' only "staggering losses" to the Tourist Department, and the Invercargill allegation that this is so calls for a clear answer. Save, for those who go by sea to the head of Milford Sound, the journey is arduous and unlikely to attract any except the robust. In times past the Milfbrd Sound tourist traffic was considerable without any very ' elaborate accommodation in the fiord itself. Those who went by steamer had little occasion to go ashore there, their wants being supplied on board, and those who took the overland route, by way of the Clinton and Arthur Valleys, divided by McKinnon Pass, were of the sort to appreciate modest comfort when they reached the sound and did not look for anything elaborate in the way of accommodation. The actual travelling has been made somewhat easier, but nothing can take away the mileage from the head of Lake Te Anau to Milford, nor can the long and trying descent from the pass to. Sutherland Falls be overcome. These con-

ditions make luxurious accommodation quite inappropriate for the region, although they add to the cost of transporting food supplies to various spots along the track. If, as is alleged, the revenue from the resort is insufficient to pay interest on capital outlay, without contributing anything to the maintenance of the track, hostel and steamer service, then a searching overhaul of the accounts is imperative. Fine as it is from a scenic point of view, this resort cannot for many years com pare with the more frequented places of attraction, because of its relative inaccessibility, and to lavish expenditure on it is manifestly wrong. When protest is raised by those nearest to the region and so circumstantially supported, there is ample warrant for others elsewhere in the Dominion to press for a strict inquiry.