OUR TOURIST RESORTS.

New Zealand Times, Volume LXXII, Issue 4806, 8 November 1902, Page 4 (Supplement)

OUR TOURIST RESORTS.

HOW COLONISTS AND VISITORS ABE CATE BED FOR. Judging by remarks one sometimes overhears in trains and steamboats, it may bo surmised that the general public has but a faint idea of the work being accomplished by that recentlycreated, bub very live and up-to-date institution, the Department of Tourist and Health Resorts. As a matter of fact, tho ramifications of tho department have already become world-wide. It is in constant communication with persons in far-off lands, and the freedom with which individuals and firms apply themselves to the department for information, and tho spread of knowledge of this colony and its resources which naturally ensues, must bo regarded as having in a. largo measure justified tho expenditure which its creation has entailed. For with departments of this character, as with commercial undertakings of every description, “ sweet aro tho uses of advertisement,” and if there is ono thing which this colony needs more than another, it is to be advertised to the ends of tho earth. Nobody realises this more than those who liavo charge of tho Department of Tourist and Health Resorts. As far as their resources allow, these officials are pushing New Zealand into tho world’s eye for all they aro worth; and their anxiety to facilitate tho movements of travellers and literally to bestrew tho path of tho wayfarer with roses, and exhibit him tho land in all its pastoral fatness and scenic luxuriance, is thankfully attested by tho hundreds who their assistance and advice. Still, as above indicated, there aro numbers of people who ought to know, but who do not know, what tho aims and objects of tho department arc, and it is for their enlightenment that this article is penned. Tho first object of tho Department of Tourist and Health Resorts is to attract the globe-trotter to these shores; tho second, to encourage him to stay hero to tho utmost limit of his time; and tho third, to send him away so pleased with New Zealand and its resources that ho will gratuitously spread tho joyfnl nows, and attract others more' opulent than himself to seek health and recreation amidst the grateful surroundings of this well-favoured country, ft has accordingly established in each of the larger centres of tho colony information bureaux under the control of competent and intelligent officers; so that any person whomsoevor, stranger or resident, wishing to obtain information as to tho conditions of travel in any part of tho colony—cither in regard to faros, distances, means of locomotion, accommodation, etc.—has only to make application and ho will receive immediate satisfaction.

But perhaps the most wonderful feature of the department’s operations is the manner in which it has taken unto TTsoif the control of tho majority of the pabiio resorts of tho colony. There was a tune when tho rapacity of “private enterprise” threatened our tourist traffic with extinction. All that has been altered, for, where tho department lias not actually taken possession and placed the various properties in tho charge of its own servants, it has laid down a tariff for the benefit of travellers, and woo be to the private proprietary which exacts from tho unsuspecting traveller more than tho amount assessed by regulation.

It is hard to realise the manner in which this department—which at tho period of tho visit of tho present Prince of Wales to New Zealand was only, as it, wore, emerging out of the chrysalis—has extended its sphere of usefulness, so that the Superintendent in hia office in Wellington to-day is in complete and intimate touch with allies and assistants in every part of the colony. Besides directing tourists in the way they should go—where they may ride, drive, lodge, hatha, fish, shoot, climb mountains, stalk stags and indulge in a hundred and one diversions—ho is also making roads, building steamers, erecting jetties and boarding-houses, and tea houses and rest houses, and sanatoriums, and bath houses, in all parts of tho colony at once. Some examples of the ramifications of tho department may appropriately b© cited. By a new route recently opened the traveller may proceed from Auckland to Heleusville, up tho Wairoa. river to jDargavillo and to a point fifteen miles from, Whangaxei—the road to which is being put in order for coach traffic—and thenoo back to Auckland by sea. A most bracing trip this is, and full of interest from the fact that it passes through portions of the famous kauri forests and gumfields of tho north. Then there is an immediate prospect of tho department assuming control of To Aroha, with its recreation grounds and baths of curative mineral waters.

Many people have been privileged to witness the innovations which, have been effected by the department at Rotorua, where the gardens, already probably the most beautiful in New Zealand, are being improved, where aviaries of native birds have been established, and where, under the personal superintendence of Dr Wohlmanns, the bathing accommodation, already considorable> is being extended on the most modem lines. Temporary arrangements are being made so that Aix massage, douche batlis and general massage baths may be given this season, but in eighteen months from now the department expects to have baths completed equal in every respect to anything existing in the world. Then, besides the varieties above enumerated, mud baths, immersion baths, inhalation baths, needle baths, and, in fact, every kind* of bath known to .the faculty will bo procurable at Rotorua. A very nice tea pavilion, with cosy lounging rooms, with wicte verandahs, where tea and mineral waters will bo dispensed, are also to be built. The electric light system—trapped and generated at the Okero Falls, fifteen miles distant —is being widely extended, and works of a minor character too numerous to particularise are under way or to be undertaken shortly. At Whakarewarewa the grounds are

being extensively planted with native ' trees, and a rest house is being erected, from which, secure from sun or storm, ■visitors may watch the great geysers at play. Later on it is proposed to locate a tea-house there also. A now route has been planned from Rotorua to the Waimangu geyser, via Wairoa, Lake Tarawcra, Moura, To Ariki, and Lake Rotomahana, which travellers compass under the care of Alf Warbrick, the celebrated half-caste guide, and which has keen proclaimed hy recent ■Wellington visitors to ho the “ finest trip in New Zealand.” On this route the traveller makes acquaintance with a wonderful variety of means of locomotion, and after witnessing the ravages wrought by Tarawera in 1886, visiting the spots whore villages- of buried Maoris lie, rowing over a boiling lake, and enjoying a variety of_ unique experiences, arrives at Waimango, the most turbulent and voluminous geyser in Now Zealand, and in many respects unique and phenomenal amongst the geysers of the world. In the vicinity of Waimangu a boarding-house is being

erected, and a rest-house, from which the periodical eruptions of tho monster may bo witnessed, is also being built. Tho department purposes making a road from Waimangu geyser to Waiotapu, which will, besides shortening tho journey by half,, take the sight-seer past the wonderful Maungakakaratnoa, or rainbow mountain, so-called because it is composed of rainbow-coloured clays, which, seen at a distance, have a distinctly iridescent aspect. Further south, at Xokaanu, baths aro being built; at Mount Tongariro (which provides an owsy climb, rewarded with a magnificent panoramic view) accommodation houses are being erected; while on tho road between Tokaanu and Haleru, a rest-house Ls being provided, in which coach-passengers may take their oaso and refresh themselves whilst the stage is being changed. In connection with Mount Fgmont, in tho Taranaki district, largo sums of money were voted last session by way of subsidies to tho Domain Board. These will bo expended in improving the accommodation houses, of which there are three on the mountain. At Lake Waikaromoana, which has been brought a great deal into prominence of late, and which will coino still more into public estimation when the photographs recently obtained by Mr Thos, Pringle, of this city, for tho Tourist Department, aro made available, an accommodation house is being built and a jetty provided in view of tho purchase of a passenger launch for uso on the lake. At To Puia, north of Gisborne, where very fine hot springs exist, baths are being built and tho reserves in connection therewith fenced; and similar steps aro being taken *n Connection with tho Morero Springs, near "VVairoa.

At Hanmer Springs, in the South Island, it is Intended to extend tho grounds and plantationsto erect now baths, including a swimming bath 60ft by 25ft. with dressing rooms and all tho necessary adjuncts; to provide tea rooms, consulting rooms for the doctor, and a now library; and to renovate and refurnish tho Spa and swimming baths. At Mount Cook, now furnishings are being provided; also a library and medical requisites; and in view of a busy season tho staff or girdos has been increased. The department is in treaty for the purchase of the Pukaki Hotel—tho half-way house between Fairlio and tho Hermitage. Tho road between Puhaki and Mount Cook is being very much improved, and a deviation made which will save an hour in the journey. It is proposed to ostabhsh a coach service between Mount Cook and Lake Wan aka, so that a visitor to the mhos or Mount Cook can go direct to tho place without having to journey twice over tho same ground. Manuka Island, in the centre of Hake Wanaka, is being planted, also some reserves adjacent to tho lako Tire jetty at tho island is to bo extended. Tho steamers on tho lako have been subsidised. and maximum rates for fares and freights fixed. At Queenstown extensive improvements are in hand. Last session £IOOO was voted by Parliament for improving the park and esplanade, and £IOOO for extending the roadway along the eastern side of the lake, which is a very. favourite resort for visitors. The sum of £2OO is also to bo expended for making a new track to the top of Mcßride’s Hill, from whence a magnificent panoramic view may be obtained. It is a matter of common knowledge that the Government is in treaty with the Wakaitipu Steam Navigation Company for the purchase of its fleet. Tho department of Tourist and Health Resorts pays for tho maintenance of the road between To Anau and Milford Sound, as well as the guides and the accommodation huts. At tho Glade House, at the 1 head of Lako To Anau, buildings are being enlarged and general improvements effected.

Readers will realise from a perusal of the above summary of works in’ progress that tho department is well abreast of tho times. It is a fair tribute to Sir Joseph Ward, the Minister of tho department, and to Mr T. B. Donne, its administrator, to admit that already it has established its claim to bo regarded as one of the most important of our State institutions.