DISAPPOINTED DOCTORS

Otago Witness, Issue 3804, 8 February 1927, Page 29

DISAPPOINTED DOCTORS

TOUR FROM MILFORD. ,/ DEPARTMENTAL STATE- '* KENT. / WELLINGTON, February 2. A Press Association message from Invercargill published last night stated that 40 doctors from Australia had been disappointed because the Tourist Department had no boat available for landing them at Milford Sound, so that they might be able to walk overland to Lake Te Anau. It was' stated officially to-day that the Tourist Department in Wellington was awaiting a full report from Milford in regard to the matter. According to a teiegram received yesterday, four of the party landed, and, that being so, it was impossible to understand why tho remainder of the party had not disembarked. ... ft must be borne in mind however, • that a few days before the’ Moeraki arrived in Milford fire completely wiped out .the huts there, and all the stores, ~ furniture, etc., were destroyed.” The department’s statement added:— , “Owing to the isolated position of tin's locality, it would be absolutely impossible to transport . stores, bedding, benzine, e^ c -‘ ,n the time that intervened between t"® “re an d the arrival of the visitors. That the department was alive to the advantage of getting these visitors over the track is shown by the fact that the New Zealand Government agent in Melbourne circularised, all the visiting doctors sug. gestmg this trip, a.nd, as far as was humanly possible, all arrangements were completed. Any hitch at Milford could only be accounted for by unforeseen circumstances over which the department had no control.” INQUIRY ASKED FOR. ACTION BY CHAMBER OF COMMERCE. At a meeting of the executive of the Dunedin Chamber of Commerce on Wednesday the following resolution was carrmd: “That in view of the importance of South Island tourist traffic and the efforts which are being made to foster it, the chamber asks that full inquiry be made by the Government as to why the tourists were unable to land at Milford Sound.” LETTER FROM IMPORTERS AND SHIPPERS. The following letter has been forwarded by the secretary of the Otago Importers and Shippers’ Association (Mr W. Gow), to the Minister in charge of the Tourist Department (the Hon. W. Nosworthy): — Deab Sih,—l am directed to call your attention to the report that when the Moeraki from Melbourne arrived at Milford Sound this week no launch was available to enable tourists who desired to proceed overland by the Milford track to do so. and consequently they had to come on by the steamer. This is especially unfortunate on the present occasion as we understand a good many members of the medical profession coming to Dunedin for the Medical Congress about to be held here, were desirous of seeing this very attractive route. \ve do not seek to impute blame in any special direction, but we shall fie-glad io know that you are satisfactorily dealing with the matter so as to prevent any such failure in future. It appears to us that our southern tourist resorts require, and should receive, much more attention towards their development.” EXPANSION LEAGUE DISCUSSION. The question of the unfortunate impasse in regard to Milford Sound was discussed at a meeting of the executive of the Otago Expansion League last week, and the president (Mr J. B. Macdonald) reported that both he and the secretary had had an interview with the general manager (Mr B. M. Wilson) last Monday. Mr Wilson detailed the arrangements made for the landing and guiding of the party. That these arrangements have gone astray is evident, and the league intends to press for a full inquiry into the matter. From the information available it was stated that the Tourist Department was not the solitary sinner, and judgment should be reserved until the full facts were known. The general manager (Mr B. M. Wilson) was at present at Te Anau in connection with the replacement of the huts recently burned, and he would on his return be able to. give accurate information as to the position.

THE SOUTHLAND LEAGUE. A STRONG PROTEST. INVERCARGILL, February 2. Apropos of the incident at Milford Sound when the party of 40 Australian doctors were deprived of an opportunity to walk over the track through the boat which was to land the visitors failing to put in an appearance the following telegram has been despatched to the Hon. W. Nosworthy (Minister in charge of Tourist and Health Resorts) by. the Southland League:—• “Strong public comment here through the failure of the Tourist Department to make satisfactory arrangements for landing the medical party at Milford Sound. ” .The Southland League regrets that such a splendid opportunity for advertising the southern scenery among an influential body of men was lost.” —(Signed) W. Hmchey, president.