AMERICAN VISITORS.

Otago Witness, Issue 3714, 19 May 1925, Page 67

AMERICAN VISITORS.

CARINTHIA’S TOUR. (From Oub Own Correspondent.) AUCKLAND. May 13. Arrangements have almost been completed for the entertainment and sightseeing of the 400 American tourists who will arrive at Auckland on the morning of Monday, December 21 next, on the 20,000 ton Cunard liner Carintnia, from New York and Pacific ports. It is recognised by officers of the Tourist Department and others that this unique visit will be an important one from the point of view of the future development of the dominion as a tourist rendezvous, and no effort is being spared to make the short stay of tho Carinthia’s passengers in me North Island a memorable and happy experience. “Wo quite realise the importance of the visit,” stated Mr Wilson, of the Tourist Department. “I expect that at least 75 per cent, of tho 400 will return to this country at some time or another, provided they have a good time, and there is no reason why they should not. New Zealand has scenic goods, and we want to display them.” Mr Wilson stated that it would be a difficult matter to make travelling arrangements for the 400 tourists just before Christmas, when tho greater part of the population was on the move, and when ordinary overseas tourists were beginning to arrive for the summer season. They anticipated no trouble, however, and already had the arrangements for the tour well advanced. The South Island will not be included in the itinerary. Time will permit the Carinthia to call only at Auckland and at Wellington. Mr Wilson is oonfident, however, that this visit will be the forerunner of many others. , OMISSION OF OTAGO.' When it was found that Dunedin was not in tho itinerary, the Otago Expansion League forwarded a request to the promoters of the tour that the visitors should bo brought here. The league pointed out that the limitation would give the visitors a singularly inadequate idea of New Zealand, and, even apart from the Exhibition, a great attraction existed in the South Island in tho shape of tho sounds and fiords on tho South West Const. The impossibility of visiting all the sounds was recognised, but it was considered that Milford Sound should be seen.

The agents for the tour replied that the limit of time in which the visitors must accomplish the complete cruise in order to reach India in tho proper season, which folio wed the New Zealand tour, would make it necessary to limit the period in the dominion. Considering the length of the cruise this was ns long a time as thev feel justified in spending here, even though they would vpry much like to take in the beauties of Milford Sound. Tt was in their original itinerary, but they were nevertheless obliged to omit it for lack of time.