TOURISTS IN NEW ZEALAND

Otago Witness, Issue 2812, 5 February 1908, Page 17

TOURISTS IN NEW ZEALAND

(From Oue Own Cobbespondent.) CHRISTCHURCH, January 29. fir John Madden, Chief Justice of Vie- . toria-, has many pleasant things to say in I regard to the tourist resorts of the North Island, which he has visited during the last week or twO. But he has also some criticism to offer. " I have nothing but admiration for the hospitality, kindness, and courtesy of the peoDle I met," he said when speaking to a representative of ! the Times. Rotoma is beautiful and ! admirably arranged, and the hotel at which I we stayed there was as good as any I have met in the world. The railway accommodation generally, however, is very bad. Everybody did the best they could for us, but the arrangements are not good. The , trains always started so early in the morn- | ing that we did not get any breakfast. The food along the line was not easily got, and was not very attractive when secured, { and the train arrived late in the evenirg i just as dinner was on the table. In . c omo places there was only one bath for , 50 or 60 people, and nobody who wanted any dinner could £cf a barh. Details of j that sort must receive attention if a large tourist traffic is to be developed. We were delighted to get to Rotorua and find that there things were all different. The Government has every reason to be gratified at the remit of State management of the township. The Wanganui Rher is very beautiful indeed, but the boat in which visitors have to traverse the upper reaohea is quite unworthy of the scenic attractions of the river. The boat makes no proj vision at all 'for the convenience of ladies. There is not - even • a -sufficient supply o£ 1 deck chairs. 1 don't think the condition of affairs would be allowed in any other country. The steamers nsed on ihe xivec below Pipiriti are xnugh better."