THE HON T. MACKENZIE

Star (Christchurch), Issue 9789, 4 March 1910, Page 1

THE HON T. MACKENZIE

A VISIT TO CHRISTCHURCH. THE PINK AND WHITE TERRACES THE GOVERNMENT AND THE TOURIST RESORTS. When the Hon T. Mackenzie was in Christchurch yesterday he was questioned by a reporter in regard to the statement that it might be possible to bring back the famous Pink and White Terraces, which., it is believed, were destroyed at the eruption of Mount Tarawera in 188 G. Mr Mackenzie is the Minister in charge of tourist resorts, and he realises, probably more than any other person in the dominion, the great advantage it would be to New Zealand if those extraordinarily beautiful works of Nature could be restored. Besides that, Mr Mackenzie has always, in and out of Parliament, j taken a deep interest in this country's natural wonders and scenic attractions, and he is never tired of discussing ways of making those attractions available to all the world. It has been re- | presented to him recently that both the Pink and the White Terraces are still in existence, and in view of the importance of the question he has given instructions that all information relating to the terraces shall be collected and forwarded to him. Besides approaching those who are acquainted with the locality, both before and after tho disappearance of the terraces, he has instructed Mr L. Birks, the Government engineer at Rotorua, to work out important levels ami other particulars. Mr James M'Kerrow, ex-Sur-veyor-General, has supplied Mr Mackenzie with a valuable letter on the subject, and Mr S. Percy Smith, who was also Surveyor-General for some years, and whoi took a leading part in scientific investigations at the time of the eruption, has sent a long communication. Both those gentlemen express an opinion that the terraces have been utterly destroyed. Mr Mackenzie says that this opinion, which claims careful consideration, haß caused him much regret. He thinks, however, that the theory that the terraces are still in ex-* istence is worthy of investigation, and he intends, when he has an opportunity of visiting the district again, to see if any further information can be placed at his disposal. Tho tourists' resorts and tracks still engage a great deal of Mr Mackenzie's attention. Mount Cook occupies a very prominent position in this respect. As a matter of fact, it receives much more attention than any other resort in the South Island. The service between the railway and the Hermitage is now heavily subsidised, the subsidy having been largely increased this year; otherwise the service would have had to be discontinued. When Mr Mackenzie has carried out bis plans for improving the accommodation at the Hermitage, it ought to be one of the most popular resorts in New Zealand. But this cannot be done at present. Critics, he says, overlook the fact that recently many thousands of pounds have been spent on bridges and other works. The 'touring Briton seems, from Mr Mackenzie's remarks, to take full advantage of his right to grumble. As far as Government tourist resorts in New Zealand are concerned, many of the complaints seem to be very unreasonable. Tourists, apparently, expect the same comforts at places far from civilisation as they enjoy at a first-class city hotel. "The Tourist Department finds that it is quite unable to meet the demands made upon it in this direction. Mr Mackenzie says that there are several services which jthe Department is conducting at a loss, and which it is willing to continue at the present loss; but it can hardly he expected to do very much more than the means at its disposal will allow. The public are claiming, as a right certain things which they ought to regard as concessions, and the Minister hints that if these affairs reverted into the hands of private enterprise, the public might realise how much the Department is doing for them.