Captain Head is not very enthusiastic about the way in which the Tourist Department caters for the tourists. He points out that there are not a sufficient number of guides at the Hermitage for the climbers who come to New Zealand, and when climbers come with their own guides the Tourist Department insists on charging them for accommodation at tourist rates.
This, Captain Head says, is unusual and unfair.
The Tourist Department also has been rather remiss in encouraging the sport of skiing, for which there is a big field in the South Island.
He has, however, induced the Mount Cook Motor Car Company to take the matter up.
The company is importing 50 pairs of Norwegian skis, which they propose to hire out to those taking up the sport at Fairlie, and perhaps at Mount Cook, in both of which places there are excellent skiing grounds.
Captain Head has himself indulged in the pastime for some weeks on the Tasman and Mueller Glaciers, and speaks in high terms of the sport to be obtained both there and in the vicinity of Fairlie.
"It's like no other sport in the world," he added. "It is the great sport in Norway and in Canada. Skis are rapidly displacing snow shoes.
"It is becoming very popular at Kosciusko, in Australia."
Captain Head induced a man in Sydney to import 70 pairs of Norwegian skis, and he sold out the lot three weeks after they were landed. It was, he pointed out, the ski which took Amundsen to the South Pole.
The distances which he covered were wonderful, and he could never have done them but for the ski (pronounced shee).
They are made of picked ash or hickory, preferably the former, and are 7ft in length.
When these laths of wood are strapped to a pair of stout boots and the experienced wearer essays a journey down a sloping hill of snow the sensation is wonderfully exhilarating.
• On Saturday afternoon, at Balclutha, the Prime Minister (the Hon. Thos.
Mackenzie) performed the ceremony of opening both the new post office and the Coronation Park.
At half-past 2 the Prime Minister and party proceeded to the new park to perform the opening ceremony.
A considerable number of people had assembled at the grounds, and, despite the light rain which was falling, the speeches were listened to with interest.
After Mr Mackenzie had unlocked the gate the party proceeded to a point of vantage where some short speeches were delivered.
An adjournment was then made by the Ministerial party to the handsome new post office, the erection of which had just been completed, and which was to be officially opened.
The building was decorated with flags and streamers, and a very large crowd had gathered in front of the platform which had been erected in front of the building.
Among those seated on the platform in addition to the Prime Minister and the Mayor were Messrs Allen and Malcolm, M.P.s, Mr W. McHutcheson (chief postmaster, Dunedin), W. E. Chisholm (district telegraph engineer), H. W. Kierman (postmaster), and the Rev. W. Curry.
The Mayor said that their much-felt want of a new post office had at last been supplied.
The office had now been in use three days - long enough to enable them to appreciate the great benefit which it was going to prove.
In addition to giving them a new post office Mr Mackenzie had also given them a handsome new clock.
- ODT, 6.5.1912
