ROTORUA BATHS.

Gisborne Times, Volume XVII, Issue 1406, 17 March 1905, Page 2

ROTORUA BATHS.

DEFENCE AGAINST CRITICISM. (Per Pross Association.) Wellington, Inst night. Rooontly, in tbo Manawhtu Daily Times, Mr J. H. Hankins, after a lengthy oourse of treatment at Rotorua, had a deal to say about the management of the baths. Ho doalt chiefly with tho Raohuel baths, and tho nature of his griovancoa wnro in regard to tho insufficiency of water for tho baths; that tho water had to bo mixed with ordinary reservoir water for cooling ; tbo high ohnrgeß for tho baths ; and tho high locs for export advice. In fnot, said Mr Hankins, Rotorua was more a rich man’s Mecoa than a poor man’s. The Minister in chargo of tho Tourist Department, Sir J. G. Ward, was interviewed by a Post reportor in reference to tho abovo reflections on the managemon at Rotorua, and he coinmunicatod with tho balneologist (Dr Wohltnann) on tho subject. In reply he received a telegram informing him that the Rachael water, which is very hot, haß to be cooled at all times. Cooled Rachael water is used whenever poesible, but the design of the present system of allowing hot water to run in and cool itsolf immediately is inappropriate. The design was to obtain water by gravitation only for both baths, and the cooling tanks, that did well enough in olden days when visitors wore not so numerous, were not sufficient to cope with the immensely increased number of bathers. Under the proposed new bath establishment, which is to be on modern lines, and plans of whioh have been approved, this difficulty will be got over. To meet the present position, said Dr Wohlmann, they are now experimenting with a scheme for filling the Raohael cooling tanks by pumping at night from a spring by using tho machinery of the Aix bath, thus ensuring the use of pure mineral water only. Dr Wolhmaan also states that ho is reorganising the system of doucheß throughout tho batbß, and will thus be ablo to save thousands of gallons of Raohael water. Tho inspector of works has commenced to carry out the scheme of altering the tanks in the Aix bath, whioh will completely prevent any waste of minoral water. As to the ohargoa for special baths, they are low, says i Dr WohlmanD, oompared with other places, and scarcely cover cost. In referenoo to the complaint of 10s 6d being charged for consulting him, Dr Wohlmann says that the usual consulting fee elsewhere for a balneologist carrying out suoh work as he is doing is £2 2s, and if he is oalled upon to go to places outside the oharge is £1 la, including oarriage hire. Sir Joseph Ward himself considers the consulting fee reasonable. He added that he had at times received representations to lower the fees and charges to beyond paying point, but that was unreasonable. As it is he has no hesitation in saying they aro greatly lower all round than would possibly be charged by any properly conducted concern in' this or any other country. The whole difficulty regarding Raohael water would, ho thought, be completely got.over as soon as the first wing of the new baths is completed.