NUMBERS DOUBLED

Otago Daily Times, Issue 26980, 15 January 1949, Page 6

NUMBERS DOUBLED

VISITORS TO SOUTHERN SCENIC RESORTS Special to the Daily Times INVERCARGILL, Jan. 14. Eglinton and Hollyford Valleys and Te Anau, Manapouri and Milford sound were again popular with holiday tourists this season. Figures show that the numbers at these southern resorts were double those of last year.

Fewer people camped in the Eglinton Valley this season and it is thought that the reason was that petrol was available at Cascade Creek and motoring parties were able to make their headquarters at Te Anau and save themselves the trouble of camping out in the valley. The Homer region and Knobs Flat were very popular. Approximately 100 cars visited the tunnel daily during the peak of the season and one day it was estimated that over 400 people walked through the tunnel. Those who walked through found a considerable amount of water seeping from the roof, but that the surface was good for walking. Difficulty was experienced by many who undertook the trip without any lights to aid them and even those people who carried torches found that they were of little use to them. For the more experienced who carried hurricane lamps the trip was more pleasant.

On the far side of the tunnel, the track proved fairly rough for the first four miles or so, but the remaining seven miles to the hostel were not difficult for hikers, the track falling away in a gentle grade. Accommodation at the hostel was overtaxed and visitors who wanted to explore the sound on boat trips were forced to "rough it” in empty public works huts. Many were content to visit for the day, seeing Mitre Peak and the head of the sound and then returning to the Homer. Lower Hollyford Valley again proved popular, principally for parties making day trips. A number of people camped in the area but many more made short trips for shooting and fishing. One of the most pleasing features of the holidays was the absence of accidents and considering the extra volume of traffic making use of the roads, the effort, of caution on the part of the motorist was commendable.