FRANZ JOSEF GLACIER

Taranaki Daily News, 17 September 1932, Page 9

FRANZ JOSEF GLACIER

A VISITOR’S TRIBUTE.

SCOPE FOR EXPLOITATION. A high opinion of the wonderful combination of beauty seen on a trip to the Franz Josef Glacier is held by Dr. Allori Peebles, of Columbia University, Washington, who has returned to Christchurch from a visit to the glacier. He declared that-from the scenic point of view the attractions at the glacier were certainly equal to anything he had seen anywhere, and his travels have taken him all over Europe, the United States, and Canada.

[Not the least attractive side of the journey to the Franz Josef, he stated, was the railway trip through the mountains leading to the Otira tunnel. He considered the fountain scenery compared most favourably with, that of the Canadian Rockies and.the Swiss Alps; it was certainly superior to any moun-. tain scenery to be seen in the United States. On the way to the Waiho was the outstanding impression of the whole trip, with the rare combination of 'beauty conveyed by the proximity of the bush and the glacier. Dr. Peebles said he felt that New Zealand was fortunate in having such men as the Graham brothers in charge of the hotel, Where a most democratic atmosphere prevailed. He had never felt such an atmosphere since leaving Switzerland, and there was certainly nothing like it in the United States. The beauty of the scenery at the glacier itself was remarkable, and he thought that perhaps New Zealanders did not appreciate it, for it was rare to have such. marvellous 'bush, growth so close to the glacier and so readily accessible. The amazing thing was the variety of the district, which made it a geologists’, botanists’ and sight-seers’ paradise, for there was so much in so little space. In his opinion there was tremendous scope for the exploitation of the beauties of the Dominion, and New. Zealand, was a gold-mine if tourists’ could be attracted here. Great opportunities for tourist traffic in better times were apparent, and if .New Zealand advertised it should not have much difficulty in tempting rich Americans who grew tired of Europe and the East to come here. He thought that an .agency in Honolulu would provide condensed advertising, as many tourists could be met and attracted. there.