MARUIA SPRINGS BATHS

Press, Volume XCV, Issue 28270, 7 May 1957, Page 11

MARUIA SPRINGS BATHS

State Not Looking For Profit X “We don’t expect these baths to pay," said the Minister in charge of Tourist and Health Resorts (Mr D. J. Eyre) when opening the mineral baths at Maruia Springs. The improvemehwr”"to tne“blfhs were part of the Government’s policy of providing firstclass tourist amenities, and it did not intend to make money out of the baths, he said.

“They will have an important purpose both as a resort attraction and as a medical bath similar to those in Europe," Mr Eyre said. Tourism had become one of the greatest net earners of overseas funds for New Zealand, said the Minister. The opening of the baths at a place where many travellers had often stopped would provide a half-way house for overseas visitors making a tour of the South Island. Local travellers, though, were still the “bread and butter of transport and accommodation” and they would find Maruia Springs perfect for a perfect overnight stay. The Government’s policy toward boosting tourist trade on the West Coast would mean that increased traffic would use the road. “But it is over to private enterprise to fill in the gaps with good accommodation,” he said. Much had been done to foster good accommodation, including the abolition of price control on some hotels. Better roads had provided access to some of the finest scenery in the world, he said. Tourist Receipts

The baths were part of the fastest-growing industry in New Zealand, Mr Eyre said. Between 1954 and 1957, tourism receipts rose from £1,605,000 to £3,155,000. With the exception of timber and meat by-products, tourism had become the largest “other exports” earner for New Zealand. Various local bodies were represented at the opening ceremony, which was held on one of the hotel balconies because of heavy rain. There were about 400 present. Mr Eyre did not accept the suggestion made by Mr J. A. Harley, representing the Nelson-Marl-borough-West Coast League of Local Bodies, “to take the waters.” Some of the guests later ignored the bleak weather and bathed for a short time in the 102 deg. mineral waters. About 100 persons were entertained later by the Tourist Department at an informal cocktail party. A party of volunteer workers from the Christchurch office of the department assisted local employees to' cater for the guests.