MILFORD SOUND DISTRICT.

Otago Witness, Issue 3862, 20 March 1928, Page 35

MILFORD SOUND DISTRICT.

WELLINGTON. March 16.

A contract has been let for the construction at Milfqrd Sound of a first class hostel to’ provide for 60 guests, according to a statement made by the Minister in Charge of Tourist Resorts (Mr W. Nosworthy). The Minister explained that the site was near the old cottage of Mr Sutherland, and provision had been made for further extensions of the hostel when desiied. These could be added to the new building as there was space available. There was ample power for electric light and all other up-to-date conveniences. Mr Nosworthy added that he had just been informed that the work of erecting a wireless telephone connection between Te Anau and Glade House would be completed in a few days. This would prove a great convenience and would enable Milford Sound to be in touch with the general telegraph system of New Zealand. Considerable improvements had been and were being effected others had been authorisd at. Glade House and the huts on the track in the way of drainage, hot and cold baths, etc. In the past few seasons a great deal of attention had been paid to that district by the Tourist Department. The road to the lake from Lumsden liad long been a source of trouble, but the expenditure by the Government and the County Council had removed all cause of complaint. He was informed by the general manager, who had recently visited the district, that the road was now in first rate order. The department had replaced the old ramshackle hotel at Te Anau, which had done duty for many years with an hotel up to date in every respect. The licensee (Mr Govan) had improved it also by the provision of a lawn tennis court and a bowling green was also being constructed by him. The expenditure on that hotel by the Government had been in the neighbourhood of £lO,OOO. The Minister said he understood from private sources that a company was being formed in the south for a regular steamer service from Bluff via Dusky and other Sounds to Milford. That would make an ideal round trip from Dunedin via Milford track, back to Bluff and vice versa.

“ Altogether,” concluded the Minister, “ I am very pleased with the progress made in the improvement of this famous region, and I look forward to the completion of the Grave-Talbot track between Watatipu and Te Anau, over which one of my officers has recently been, and which will have a stimulating effect on the tourist traffic to this district.”