ANOTHER SOUTH ISLAND COMPLAINT.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 18419, 22 March 1928, Page 10

ANOTHER SOUTH ISLAND COMPLAINT.

WEST COAST WILL PROTEST REGARDING TOURIST ARRANGEMENTS (Special to the “ Star.”) HOKITIKA, March 21. The Westland Progress League, prompted by the controversy which has been going on with regard to the South Island tourist resorts, has decided to interview Mr Wilson, Chief Government Tourist Officer, when he visits Hokitika, to protest against the treatment meted out to the tourist resorts in Westland. The league has also resolved to associate itself with the Hokitika Tourist Association in presenting the matters before Mr Wilson. At the meeting of the league, held last evening, a formidable array of resolutions, backed by facts and figures, were drawn up. It was resolved to point out to the General Manager of Tourist and Health Resorts. that current appropriations provide for only £350 for this district out of a total allocation of £50,000, under a vote for Public Works services, and £2lO out of the total allocation of £41,924 under a vote from the Consolidated Fund. It was also resolved to point out that in view of the special appreciation accorded Westland scenic features byMr L. C. M. S. Amery and other distinguished visitors, the manager of Tourist and Health Resorts be asked to formulate a scheme for the wider advertising of the special features of t.he district, and that he adopt proposals further to improve the facilities of access to outstanding localities affording special scope for holidaymaking.

It was decided that in relation to the previous resolutions, the following loutes in Westland be opened up:— A good foot track to the summit of Mount Tuhua (2688 ft), Lake Kanieri; continuation of road access to the head of Lake Kanieri; shelter accommodation on the shores of Lake Kanieri in the vicinity of Haus Bay for motoring and picnic parties, also shelter accommodation at Sunny Bight; the opening of the Styx route, via Browning’s Pass, to Canterbury, for walking parties traversing Westland territory, with the ultimate object of carrying road access from the upper Kokatahi to the dividing range; the improvement of access in and about the Hokitika Gorge, with a provision for a suspension bridge to cioss the river; assistance with regard to the clearing of Mahinapua Creek shelter shed, at Lake Mahinapua, and road access from Ruatapu to Mahinapua ; the opening of track routes in and about the Franz Josef and Fox Glaciers and the subsidising of motorboat services on the lakes of Westland for the convenience of tourists.