LAND FOR TOURISTS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXIX, Issue 21160, 18 April 1932, Page 11

LAND FOR TOURISTS.

ATTRACTIONS OF DOMINION.

UNQUALIFIED ADMIRATION.

ENTHUSIASM OF VISITOR. Unqualified admiration of tho tourist attractions of tho Dominion was expressed yesterday by Mr. H. E. Pippin, passenger traffic manager for the Matson Line in Australia and New Zealand, who has returned to Auckland after visiting the various scenic resorts of the North and South Islands. "Before making this somowhat hurried tour, I had been led to believe that I should see scenery out of the ordinary,'" Mr. Pippin said. "My expectations have been more than fulfilled."

Mr. Pippin made the trip with the primary object of gathering impressions to forward to tho head office of hig company for use in publicity channels. From tho enthusiasm with which ho speaks of a glimpse of the Southern Alps through lowering rain clouds, of motor drives along bush-fringed roads and of rambles round the thermal wonderland one can fully believe that in him New Zealand has a publicity agent with the courage of his convictions. "My trip hag convinced me more than ever that what wo thought of New Zealand's prospects as a tourist objective is nothing but tho truth," Mr. Pippin said. "It is impossible for mo to say which one of the manifold tourist attractions of the country interested me most. You have everything here—everything that tho most confirmed globe-trotter could wish to see. Grandeur o! Southern Alps. "Owing to the weather, I was unable to visit Mount Cook, but from what I saw I should say the Southern Alps have been aptly named. For grandeur of mountain scenery they are comparable with anything in Europe. "I suppose New Zealanders are more or less tired of hearing visitors praising tho thermal wonders of Rotorua and Wairakei and of comparing them with Yellowstone Park in the United States. However, I should like to say that in my opinion tho thermal wonders in New Zealand are unparalleled anywhere else in the world. Everything is concentrated in a comparatively small area and the sights are so marvellously varied. Thero is nothing in the world to compare with Geyser Valley at .Wairakei, where thermal activity seems to bo regulated almost by clockwork.

"The Government round trip at Rotorua is in itself worth a trip across the world. It is really excellently planned. Tho Maori guides, too, are a tourist attraction in themselves. Never have I heard the English language so beautifully spoken as it is by the?© fine people. One would perhaps like to see them living more in their native surroundings, but we havo to realise that in this respect civilisation has its drawbacks. The Waitomo Caves.

"The glow-worm cavo at Waitomo is absolutely indescvibablo. I have no hesitation in rating it as one of the outstanding natural wonders of the world. "The North Island is singularly fortunate in having such a wealth of tourist attractions scattered between Iho two principal towns of the Dominion, Auckland and Wellington. An American business man can arrive af, Auckland, with business to do in both cities, yet wishing to give his wife and family a holiday in New Zealand. By spreading his trip from Auckland to Wellington over about a fortnight, he can see some of the most glorious scenery in the world, and, if he has not the time to visit the Southern Alps, can probably also enjoy winter sports at the Tongariro National Park. "Then there is your fishing. It has been praised up to tho skies. I know, but it has never been over-praised. Nowhere in the world is there trout-fishing like that obtainable at Taupo and tho prospect of landing a 121b. rainbow, not to mention some of the huge game fish in the Northern waters, will certainly prove irresistible to many American sportsmen." Motor Touring Delights. Mr. Pippin's enthusiasm is not merely confined to the scenic resorts on the wellbeaten tourist track. He described the drive from Napier to Taupo as one of the finest he has ever made and said that with the glorious prospects unfolded by every (wist and turn in a New Zealand country road, motor touring was given an endless charm and variety. The farming lands, well kept and well stocked, were tourist attractions in themselves.

"It would be unfair to make any remarks about New Zealand a§ a tourist objective without referring to your hotels," Mr. Pippin concluded. "They may not be ultra-luxurious, but nowhere in the world can one obtain accommodation so comfortable and food so good at a pi-ice so reasonable. Even in the remote country districts, a hotel meal in New Zealand is something that can be regarded and eaten with pleasure."