NINE-DAY TOUR OF N.Z.

Pahiatua Herald, Volume XLVIII, Issue 14068, 15 February 1939, Page 5

NINE-DAY TOUR OF N.Z.

SEVENTEEN WEALTHY AMERICANS 1050 MILES COVERED IN PERIOD Electric Telegraph—Press Association AUCKLAND, February 14. After a Dominion tour of 1650 miles m nine days, a- part} of 17 wealthy American tourists returned to Auckland to-day and embarked in th© Awatea for Sydney. In spite of the hurried nature of the tout , which was mainly by special motor-cars, the tourists enjoyed most of what they saw, though there were several disappointments. They expressed regret that it was not possible to visit more of the South Island. Th© paxpy left Auckland at the beginning of last week and travelled to Wellington by rail. They then crossed (took Strait and motored to Christchurch by way of Westport ancl the Gtira Gorge. Returning jbo the North Island, they visited Wanganui, the Chateau. Rotorua and Waitomo. Christchurch was regarded, as the most attractive centre visited and the drive along the Summit Road -on the Port Hills overlooking the city was described as a. highlight of the tour. The trip through the Otira Gorge was thoroughly enjoyed, but it was considered that the Buller Gorge was greatly over-rated, or at least had little appeal to Americans. The party spent its last night in New Zealand at Waitomo. The caves generally were, greatly appreciated, and several travellers * said the visit 1o New Zealand would have been worth while if they had seen nothing other than the glow-worm grotto. On his arrival in the Dominion last week, the tour leader. Mr Dean© Dickason, criticised accommodation in New Zealand hotels, basing his remarks on the experience of six earlier visits to the Dominion in recent Years. To-day he said the accommodation and service at South Island hotels visited on the present occasion far superior to that met with at North Island houses. The Christchurch hotel at which they stayed provided every service a tourist could wish for

Mr Dickason proposes to visit the Dominion again with another tourist party next year. He is arranging for an itinerary covering three weeks, afortnight of which will be spent in the South Island. This nil! allow visits to South Westland. Otago. +he Lakes area. Eglinton Valiev ancl Mt. Cook.