THE MILFORD TRACK.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 19065, 10 January 1924, Page 2

THE MILFORD TRACK.

MR FIELD’S CRITICISM. SUPPORTED BY OTHER VISITORS. With reference to the criticism of Mr W. 11. Field, M.P., regarding the conditions on Milford Track, the Mataura Ensign comments as follows: —Mr W. H. Field, president of the Tararua Tramping Club, in his criticism’ of the Milford Sound Track conditions, has merely supported and enlarged on the statements made last week to a Mataura Ensign reporter by other visitors ■ ii-iing die Christmas vacation. Bhdo 'C Collett, tho acting manager of tlje Government Tourist Department in Wellington, is inclined to throw cold water on Mr Field’s complaints, there is sufficient evidence from other sources to show that all is mot as it should be, from a tourist’s point of view, with the present arrangement. Indeed, Mr Collet! V defence is a -par)-elderly sUr'lUw one. although, of course, he is reserving a fuller statement till a report comes to hand from Mr Challis, manager of Glade House. The authorities who at present control the track arrangements cannot bo expected to regulate the weather conditions, and, in a region where there is such a heavy rainfall, flooded rivers, etc., must be expected. But it is reasonable to demand that the facilities for crossing the streams and getting from point to point should’be u.s up-to-date and' as sound as ■ possible. ' As Mr Field and other visitors have shown, this is' not the case, and when heavy weather is experienced grave dangers to life and limb arise if travellers continue their V r. ■ It is anwent that a .policy of muddle through is the case as far as the department la concerned, and that the management of r.he track could be greatly improved. The war years naturally brought a falling-off in the number of tourists making the trip to the Sound, and for a while {hiring the post-war period the accommodation was doubtless sufficient to cope with all requirements. Now, however, the fittest walk in the world” is gaining in popularity and private motor services are inducing many to view the sights of Southland’s wonderful west. But from all reports, no attempt was made during the recent Christmas and New Year holiday “eason to regulate tho traffic, and after one par tv left the huts on one occasion all the ‘towels. sheets, etc., had been used, there being no fresh supplv for incoming people. Mr Field also points out that had his party arrived at the Sandfly hut according to schedule, “there would have been no sleeping accommodation, as the place was crowded.” The Australian system m force at the Jenolan Caves should he used by the New Zealand authorities in connection with the regulation of traffic oyer the Milford Track, and some reform in this 'espect is urgently needed. Private and Governmental control are interlocked at present, and there is. no eo-ordination. If the complaints of the past few weeks cannot be satisfactorily explained—the few that have been mentioned could be extended- to considerable length—and if the Government secs no hone of better results in tho future, Chen it should seriously consider the question of handing oyer the whole business lo private enterprise. The Mount Cook Hermitage is now a paying proposition under private control, and there is no reason why private management should not ho equally successful in dealing with (ho Millord Track traffic. We hone that the official bodies guarding the interests of this part of New Zealand will not rest content with official assurances that everything is being managed efficiently from Wellington. Practical comfort and conveniences, as far as possible, on the ’track itself are what are required, and Southland should see that they are forthcoming.