HELENSVILLE SPRINGS.

Kaipara and Waitemata Echo, 22 January 1913, Page 3

HELENSVILLE SPRINGS.

STATE OR LOCAL CONTROL,

A MINISTERAL VISIT,

Hopes for the advancement of the Helensville hot springs into that of the principal health resorts of the Dominion have been in some degree discouraged by the difficulty of obtaining funds for any extension of their equipment. The springs have been for 20 years under the care of the Helensville Town Board, which maintains, them by expending the revenue from the baths, and has been enabled to provide the existing equipment by State grants. The prospect of obtaining further assistance from the Government is not bright, and fche Town Board has been casting about for means to ensure the further development of the springs, mainly for their medicinal value. For some time, a proposal that the springs should be taken over by the Department of Tourist and Health Resorts, has been under consideration. It has been accepted by the Town Board as the best solution of the problem, the Prime Minister is understood to be in favour of the idea, and on Wednesday the Minister in charge of the Tourist Depaitment (Hon. R. H. Rhodes) made a personal, inspection of the little spa to obtain first hand information regarding its prospective value as a health resort. He was accompanied by the director of the Department (Mr B. M. Wilson), and the inspection was made undar the guidance of Messrs. James McLeod (chairman of the board), James Stewart, and J. A. Wilson. An earnest desire to ensure the development of the springs was impressed upon the Minister. The urgent requirements of the moment are stated to be ten more private baths and a swimming pool for ladies only, who now have the use of the common bath one day in each week. These improvements would cost £600, and the Town Board has not that amount free for the purpose. During last year about 10,000 baths were taken, and the revenue was sufficient to cover expenditure on maintenance. The wages of caretaker and gardener for tho whole year were, in fact, paid by eight months' bath receipts. The accommodation houses are unable to receive all the visitors. The springs are becoming more widely known, and the Town Board believes that in a very few years, they could be developed into independence of State assistance. Control by the State, ' A complete inspection of the grounds and their present equipment was made by Mr. Rhodes, and after luncheon, tho toast of his health opened the way for a general discussion of the position. Mr. Mclieod said the springs were worth developing, hut they were not well-known, and the Board had no • funds to improve them or to advertise them unless it constantly appealed to the Government for grants, and assistance was not always forthcoming. It was now hoped that the control of the springs ,woula be undertaken by the Tousist Department.

The Minister explanied that he could not give a definite promise, as he would have to consider the mat tor thoroughly, and then submit some proposal to tho Government. That he would do as soon as possible. Ho warned them that if the Department acceded to their request, there would be no lavish expenditure, but tho springs »vould be developed economically. There secined no doubt of the curative pioperties of the waters, and though tho springs were not likely to become a fashionable tourist resort nor moro than a holiday-place for Auckland, the ..department would do its duty in the matter. Another View of tho Matter. Some difference of opinion regarding the proposal made to tho Minister wasdisclosed by Mr Stewart's remarks. This momber of the Board said that it was not the unanimous wish of the district that the spring should be handed over to tho Tourist Department, and he asked thp' Minister, in approaching his decision, to consider whether they could not be carried on by the local authority, with occasional assistance from the Government. Mr. Rhodes remarked that the De~ partment had no wish to interfere, and'he suggested that an agreement should be arrived at locally, before further action was taken. He was assured by the chairman that the question had been thoroughly con« sidered, and that four members of the Board had advocated the present proposal when they sought elections, Mr Stewart being the only member who disagree!. He was sure that in the township opinions were three to one in favour of handing the springs over to the Government. The board was prepared to continue its admin** istration so long as it received substantial assistance from the State, but were informed that the Government was not disposed to make further grants, The Minister promised to give careful consideration to all aspects of the matter, with a view to arriving at the best decision.