The Tourist Traffic

Southland Times, Issue 19265, 1 February 1904, Page 2

The Tourist Traffic

„ » ' -'— liR T. E. DONNE AT STEWART ISLAND. At a meeting of residents at &**vr*ri, sland on Thureday^ evening, Mr Hftrrton, County Chairman presiding, the fol* owing resolutions were drawn «P for 8Ub * oission to Mr Donne, head of the Tour* st Department :— (1) That applications or sawmill areas on Stewart Island b« jrantod, and that land for settlement ba •e-openod on the optional system ; iC^) hat adqquato accommodation bo provided. 'or tourists by the erection oi a suitable Uudlding (carried on under State control) for the purpose, but in such a manner A 9 "hall not interfere with private entW* prise :. (3) that a better and more frequent stoain conununication with tha mainland be provided ; (4) that a resident agent of the Tourist Department be ap* pointed on the island; (5) that tb4 Department be requested to develop tho inland, and devote the sum of £4000 for tho following works : (a) to improve- existing tracks : (b) lay off new tracks to points of interest ; (c) construct jetties on landing 1 places ; (d) alter roads badly Uiid off ; (c) an engineer of experience b« entrusted with the work. Tho following schedule of works was appended >— TracH from Tliulo to Ryan's Creek ; jetty at Golden Ba-y ; track from Klngaringa to Deep Bay ; new track connecting Lonne* leer's Beach with Ringaringa ; snagging Freshwater river ; erecting urinals, seats, bathing sheds and sign posts ; track to Kuipipi ; track from Maori Beach, to head of Patei'son's Inlet ; track tQ bath» ing beach ; land to bo reserved or set apurt for camping purposes. Mr Donne said that he would have plea* suro in laying tho 1 requests before th« Government, and also gave hie ardvicflon certain matters relating to, the traffic. On hia return to Invercargill on Satur> day Mr Donne informed our reporter that this was his first official visit! to, the island. On hid arrival there on Wednesday . Captain McDonald very courteously plao «d the s.s. Theresa Ward at his disposal, aud Paterson's Inlet was visited. Later oa Mr Donno made other visits in an auxiliary ketch and explored the? inlet thoroughly, going into tho most promincut bays and landing at the best Islands. He also went to Horseshoe Bay, and aa far round as Lee Bay. The tracks con* structed for the convenience of tourists were gone over, and another duty under* taker, was' an inspection of the boarcUng houses and examination of the accoxnxoo* dation. He was also waited on by a deputation and a large number of residents* who presented tho series of resolutions drawn up at tho public meeting. On Saturday, before leaving, Mr Donne went into tho Straits to sample the fishing grounds. Mr Donne says that he is ver? favourably impressed with Stewart Island,, and considers there are large possiWlUies? in front of it in the way of development. The first essential, as h& informed the deputation, is improved accommodation, and when that is secured increased tourist traffic may be anticipated, and with that an improved steamer service. Stewart Island, in his opinion, is one of the nicest resting places in tho colony, and it has the advantage of being- available at very moderate cost. Tha tracks he considers very good indeed—in fact he Was surprised at. their extent, and the nuxiliary-engined craft form a decidedly valuable means of getting about. Of the proposals submitted by the depu. tations Mr Donne says some are on right lines, and he will do his utmost to forward them. Mr Donne is accompanied on hia tour by Hr Wohlmann, Government Balneolcygist, who for the past 18 months has Keen adviser to the Government i& tha development of health resorts, dealing with the thermal springs in particular. His headquarters are at Rotorua, and among the numerous visitors there are ninny wish t« be advised, aftor receiving thermal treatment, as to tho most suitable health resorts for their particular cases. With the object of meeting thiß requirement »r Wohlmann is now visiting the southern tourist resorts. , Speaking of Stewart Island, tho doctor Said, that he had never seen a more lovely place. The climate. Judging from his short stay, appeared to be exceedingly mild, and h« was convinced that the island T« most admirably adapted for the requirements of those who wished to complete their cure after a stay at the Hot Lakes. This morning the* party , leave for Queenstown, and later go on to Milford via Te Anau. • ■-•.. :