THE TOURIST SEASON.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 9222, 29 April 1908, Page 4

THE TOURIST SEASON.

•— ' — / . INTERVIEW WITH MR T. E. DONNE. Mr T. E. Donne, officer in charge of the Tourist Department, arrived in Christchurch by the late express yesterday, from a tour in the south. In reply to a reporter's request tor -some account of his doings, Mr Donne said that he and Mr Campbell had visited Mount Cook and had selected a site for the new Hermitage. A very fine position had been found on a terrace at Governor's Bush, about three-quarters of a mile from tlie present hostel. It commanded a fine view of Mount Cook and Mount Sefton and the Hooker Valley, and' instead of being, like the present Hermitage, overshadowed by the hills, it secured the full advantage of the sunshine. There was also a good permanent supply of water, and close alongside was the best piece of bush in the locality. The old Hermitage had neither a good water supply nor a handy stock of firewood. The chamois which were sent out by the Emperor of Austria, had, Mr Donne said, been seen several times lately, and were in splendid condition. During the time he was at the Hermitage a large red deer, presumably frightened by shooting in the Wanaka district, hail wandered over. Ihe Mount Cook motor-car service would stop running on the following day, and a coach service would be maintained during the winter as far 'as Pukaki. The present motor eervice had been running only as for as Glentanner, leaving eighteen miles to be covered by coach. The erection of only two or three bridges would enable the cars to go all the wav from Fairlie to the Hermitage. The past tourist season had, Mr Donne said, been a record one for the dominion, in respect to both islands. The largest proportion of the visitors had beeu from Australia, while a .good proportion had come from England, with a fair sprinkling of Anglo-Tndians. There had been fewer Americans during the year than at any period during tho past five or six years. The season being just over he had not yet drawn up any definite proposals, but he would have a number to lay before the Government in connection with the DeDartm*"**