DEPARTMENTAL ENTERPRISE

Rotorua Morning Post, Volume 1, Issue 102, 21 December 1931, Page 4

DEPARTMENTAL ENTERPRISE

To mark the opening this evening of the first section of the new Blue Baths, the Tourst Department has issued an open invitation to residents of Rotorua and visitors to the town to inspect the building and enjoy a swim in the pool. That the Department's "party" will be a success goes without saying. To-night's ceremony will mark the partial realisation of one of Rotorua's dearest hope's, the provision of facilities for mixed bathing, the absence of which has been keenly felt since- the sport became so popular. Those who have been privileged to inspect the new bath and sample the pleasures of a dip in its waters are enthusiastic in their praise, both of the pool and of the building generally. It is now possible to judge what the whole scheme will be like when completed and it is certain that as a result Rotorua itself, and the many vistors from overseas and other parts of the Dominion to whom Rotorua is a sort of holiday Mecca, will be more impatient than ever of any avoidable . delay in its completion. There are signs, however, that this need not be seriously feared. Delays there may be, but if there are, they will, we believe, be the unavoidable result of the financial stringency. In justification of our optimism in this connection we need only quote two facts. The first of these is the obvious one that the new bath is certain to prove a financial success if popularity with the public is the decisive factor in this connection. The second of these encouraging factors is the new spirit of enterprise animating the Tourist Department, as ^ is demonstrated by its' public invitation for to-night. Such wise thoughtf ulness on the part of the Department is new in Rotorua's experience and will be correspondingly appreciated. The Department and public should be the keynote of their relations ern enterprise ig launched Under the most favourable circumstances and we feel sure that the neglect by residents on which Mr. Bayfeild felt impelled to comment recently in connection with the other bathjs will not extend to the Blue Bath. It may, of course, be said that the Government has a duty to the country and that in modernising the bath facilities at Rotorua it is doing no more than is reasonably to be expected of it. This may be so, but it is equally true that the public, particularly the public of Rotorua, has also a duty to the country as a whole and this is by every possible means, including personal example, to emphasise the attractions of the various baths and other Jacilities which have been provided. Co-operatioii between Department and public should be the keynote of thir relations, if only because co-operation, developed to the fullest possible degree, would bring in its train tangible benefits in which all will participate.