SCENERY AND TOURISTS.

New Zealand Mail, Issue 933, 17 January 1890, Page 28

SCENERY AND TOURISTS.

Moee than once we have strongly urged upon the Government of the day the importance of opening up to

the visits of tourists the many localities abounding in magnificent scenery which at present are virtually inacces sible. We have pointed out the vast wealth which New Zealand possesses in the glorious lakes, and sounds, and waterfalls, and mountains, and forests with which this Colony has been endowed by Nature, and which ought to be utilised to the utmost possible extent as attractions to visitors from other parts of the globe. Lake Wakatipu has long been approachable by rail from all parts of the South Island, and yearly attracts swarms of delighted visitors. But the scenery of Lake Wakatipu, fine as it is, pales before that lying around the more western Jakes, Te Anau and Manawapouri —the latter more commonly but incorrectly spelt « Manapouri ” or “ Manipori ” —also between those lakes and the West Coast Sounds. We notice with pleasure that efforts are being made by the Government to afford improved facilities for visits of tourists to those wonderful scenes. Arrangements are now in force under which the Manawapouri and Te Anau lakes can be reached with comparative ease by coach connecting with trains on the railways from Dunedin and Invercargill to Kingston. And further steps are being taken in a similar direction. Vigorous efforts are being made to open up communications between those western lakes and the West Coast Sounds. With this object two working parties have been despatched to Milford Sound and Lake Te Anau respectively, with instructions to open up a practicable track between ihs two starting operations from both ends simultaneously. The same road that leads fiom Milford Sound to Te Anau goes also for about twelve miles of the way toward the famous Sutherland Falls. The latter are only about a mile and a half off the direct line from Mflford Bound to the head of Lake Te Anau. A surveyor will also be despatched to investigate a route alleged to exist from George Sound, on the West Coast, to the Middle Fiord of the three lying on the western side of the Te Anau Lake. A local resident has informed the Government that he has discovered a practicable and easy route for a track by which the distance between the lake and the sound could be traversed on foot in eight hours. H e offers to disclose this secret on certain terms, which we believe are not deemed exorbitant, and which will be granted if tbe route prove equal to his representations Meanwhile the Milford- I’e Anau track will be first pushed on with all convenient expedition. The two working parties numlbt»r about, a ckzen men in all. The Te Anau detachment began work on the £2(,h izlt., and they are understood to foe making good progress. Ihe track maria from what may be called the eastern head of Lake Te Anau (tne northern extremity of that lake being in some degree bifurcated) at the point where the Clinton River flows in. Following tbe valley of that river for about 15 miles a s,addle is reac'ied. At this point the iimrx Reading from Sutherland Falls , uo Milford Sound j du* the one from 'Te Anau (ihe falls being about a mile axnd a half from the junction), and ithtui the .same track is pursued down tha valley of the Arthur River, crossing Ada by ferry and proceeding thence t ’ tbe head o Milford Sound The total distance from i'e Anau to Milford is estimated at 27 miles. From the information so far to hand it is gathered that a practicable and fairly good footpath can be made all the way from. Milford to Te Anau, but that to render the road fib for horse traffic would involve heavy expense. It is l ’°P e J that the path will he rendered

passable for female as well as male pedestrians, but a bridle-path is a matter for future consideration. A building is being erected by the working party, at the head of Lake Te Anau, as a refuge for tourists. It is about 24 feet square, and will afford ampie shelter from the weather, but travellers will have to take their own bedding and food. The second route, which is being explored between tbe Te Anau Lake and the West Coast, starts from the N."W". arm of the middle fiord of tbe lake and proceeds by what is alleged to be an easy saddle to the head of George Sound. The scenery along both tracks is said to be extremely fine and varied No estimate can as yet be formed as to the length of time which will be required to render the tracks passable. Much will necessarily depend upon the kind of weather that is experienced during the work. It is stated, however, that the journey from Lake Te Anau to Milford Sound, or vice versa, can even now be made bv vigorous travellers who oo not mind a little rough work. There is no doubt that as soon as it becomes known that these superbly picturesque regions, are reasonably accessible there will be plenty of adventurous spirits found to make the tour, and then, when once the rich and varied splendours of scenery which is unsurpassed in the whole world are adequately described in tbe Press of the neighbouring colonies and of the Mother Country, ‘a copious and constantlyincreasing stream of tourists may be looked for. The people of this Colony are hardly conscious yec what a mine of potential wealtli they possess in their natural scenery alone. His to be hoped that the Government will see their way shortly to improve the track now under construction into a really practicable horse-road, so as to facilitate still further the means of access.