OUR HOT SPRINGS

Kaipara and Waitemata Echo, 17 July 1914, Page 4

OUR HOT SPRINGS

AN ELABORATE REPORT

ENCOURAGING TO ALL

CONCERNED

THE following welcome report from Dr A. J. Wohlman, Govern- ~ ment Ba lneologist, to the General Manager of the Health Department, Wellington, goes far to tell the local body what kind of an asset we have in the wonderful Hot Springs here, what is still wanting, and many other particulars:— ' REPORT ON HELENSVILLE HOT SPRINGS On June Bth in company with yourself I visited the Helensville Hot Springs. The controlling Board being desirous of a settled scheme of development, which ; would enable them to progress in futo*e with a definite aim in view, I betfzb submit the following report, trusting that it may be of use to them as well as to the Department. Some ten years ago, and again a year or two later, I visited these Springs and suggested a plan of bath construction, etc., and I notice that very great improvements have been made in the interval, so much so that I hardly recognise the spot. The Supply of Hot Water.—This, which was very scanty at my first visit, is now very considerable, thanks to a succession of bores put down since by the Board, and there is every indication that the supply could be increased almost indefinitely if need be. The bores are easy to sink, and inexpensive, but are liable to get choked with sand. I measured the flow of No. 4 bore which supplies the private baths, and found it about 350 gallons an hour, and several of the other bores were yielding from about 100 to 200 gallons an hour, and would give more were they not choked. By far the largest supply, however, at present, comes from Nicholl's bore, which is an adjoining property. The Baths—The present baths are excellent, especially the swimming bath. The latter could be doubled in usefulness for curative purposes, at the expenditure of a few shillings, by fixing undercurrent douches to the girilet pipes. Later on, when the supply has been increased, I would advise also the installation of overhead douches; I would also suggest that the interior of the building could be made to look very much more attractive by a few coats of paint. If pure unadulterated zinc white is used as a first coat, followed when quite set by a coat of white enamel paint such as " Velure" or '• Robbialac," the place would be quite transformed. No lead priming must, of course, be used. Future Extensions.—The immediate need is for more baths to cope with the sudden rushes of traffic occurring at holiday time, and I would suggest the following additions as funds permit: (A).—Sixteen private baths in an ex- ■ tension of the present bath house. I would advise putting two wings to the presentTouilding as funds permit. This would mean it sixteen bath rooms were built, an addition of fourteen private baths, as two bath rooms would be absorbed by corridors. Also I would take care that the new rooms were kept at the floor level of the vestibule, for the • sake of crippled patients, and that they are made slightly larger than the old bath rooms. ' (B).—A ladies' swimming bath. I would advise putting this alongside the men's bath at the back of the ladies' private baths. It might be smaller and shallower than the men's bath. (C).—A vapour bath over the old well. I would advise letting the vapour bath . stand over for the present, as it would " not be safe to use without an attendant in charge. ■: • .

(D).-A drinking fountain. A clean and inviting drinking fountain, either in the ticket office, or in the vestible of the baths. Probably this cou l d be made a source of revenue. The public ought not to mind paying Id or 2d a glass in return for the provision of clean tumblers and comtort.

Future Water Supp LY and Storage -I would not spend a penny on additions until the water supply has L eeL S7 r Hd- + ,S ° lOUg aS Nicholl*' ' LZ il\ BUPPIy is amP*e> tat should that be cut off, f res h bores should be certainly sunk before faxth^ operations are thought of . Nilhoir qUeSti °n °f the "lotion of NiohoU s property is one which has been dSa J °U Personall^ a^d I need w W from the balneological side are:

1. If more building is undertaken, more water is required than is at prese nt forthcoming f rom the Domain property 2. If NichoU's bore is purchased, there water for aII —We

3- If fresh bores are put down at certain mdicated spots there is reason! able proßpeot of an abundant supply without usmg Nicholl's bore.

4 If, on the other hand, Nicholl's boie remains in private hands, the Domain Board may be faced with very formidable competition, and as they hive done the expensive pioneer work, and Xwe r end6red toll's bore valuable, such competition would hardly

STORAGE.-The present tanks are decayed, and are altogether too small ho dme only about two thousand gaUons -Piece, and I would advise «^£ wat« of T Cl°Sed tEnk for hot Imoit !° r SLX th° USand Sall°»s capacity, and one shallow opened tank position of mud or sand in these tanks

silt traps should be built at the inlets and these traps should be easily accessible to allow of frequent cleansing.

With these additions and improvements the Helensville baths should be enabled easily to cope with any ordinary influx of visitors, and they should suffice until such time as increased population may perhaps warrant the residence at the Springs of a medical man who will >J>e able to devote his main attention to balneology,

I am forwarding plan of the Springs under separate cover. (Signed) ARTHUR J. WOHLMANN, Government Balneologist.