THE WAITOMO CAVES.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 19066, 11 January 1924, Page 2

THE WAITOMO CAVES.

TOURISTS’ GRIEVANCES. LACK OF ACCOMMODATION. (From Oue Own CofjHespondent.i AUCKLAND, January 10. The tourist traffic to the Waitomo Caves during the holidays created a record far in excess of any previous year. The need for more liberal accommodation has never been so severely felt as during the Christmas and New Year period, it is understood that even now numerous sightseers have been told that they will have to postpone their visit owing to the lack of accommodation at the hostel. In one day alone 68 tourists had to be turned ■away. They were advised tiwit they would have to stay either at Te Kuiti or Otorohauga until the pressure was relieved, or make the trip during the day from either of these two places. There seems to be general dissatisfaction at the want of action in not providing more accommodation at the caves. One visitor from the South Island was very strong in his remarks. “Private enterprise could not afford to carry on business in this way,” he said. “The Government ignores the wants of the public. The lack of accommodation is nothing short of deplorable and cannot help to popularise the caves as a tourist resort. On New Year’s Day there wer 250 visitors to the caves, and guides were showing the visitors through from 9 a.m. to 8.30 p.m. What is helping to bring the caves into greater prominence is the motor traffic. Whereas at one time visitors mainly travelled by rail, most of the traffic is now by car.” Another visitor expressed a very adverse opinion of the policy of only allowing visitors to stay 24 hours at the hostel. “I wantd to see the three caves on my visit,” he staled, “hut it is too much to do so in one day, especially if there are women in the party.” Until action is taken by the Government to increase the number of rooms, however, there is no remedy for this grievance.