AMBITIOUS SCHEME

Rotorua Morning Post, Volume 2, Issue 312, 27 August 1932, Page 5

AMBITIOUS SCHEME

PROPOSAL TO PLACE BIG PLEASURE BOAT ON WAIKATO Hamilton, Friday. An ambitious scheme for huilding a large houseboat on the Waikato Rivei, as an attraction for tourists, has been put before Mr. W. H. Paul, chairman of the Hamilton Domain Board and president of the Beantifying Society, by Mr. E. Woolby, of Wkiliou. He proposes that the boat he fitted with Diesel engines, and that facilities he provided for concerts, vaudeville, revue, talkies, card games, etc. On other decks there would he a cabaret, dining and supper rooms, lounges, promenades and smolcing and reading rooms. There would also he water chutes for launching canoes. Cheap excursion fares to the Waikato Heads and week-end excursions are contemplated. Sleeping aecommodation could be provided for 300 people. Mr. Woolby estimated the cost of the vessel and fittings at £25,000, and the gross turnover at £12,000 to £15,000. The capital could he raised either by ordinary £1 shares or by premium bonds, of £10 each. He suggested that the boat and the society combine to form an amusement company. The matter has not yet been considered by the two bodies.