AUSTRALIAN VISITOR

Rotorua Morning Post, Volume 2, Issue 371, 4 November 1932, Page 6

AUSTRALIAN VISITOR

tour of dominion PROMINENT SYDNEY SOCIAL WORKER SEEKING INFORMATION ; " ROTORUA AFTER 20 YEARS * A visitor to Rotorua at the present time is Mr. George Fitzpatriek, of Sydney, who while on a health tour of New Zealand, is acting as special commissioner for the New South Wales Government in making an investigation of the hospital system of this country. Mr. Fitzpatriek is closely allied with social and charitahle institutions in Australia. He holds such positions as superintendent of the New South Wales " Community Hospital, chairman of the Dalwood Health Home, chairman of the Food For Babies Fund, deputy chairman of 'the St. Margaret's Hospital, and many other similar insijitutions. Mrs. Fitzpatriek, who accompanies him is also a prominent social worker. His daughter, Miss Jean Fitzpatriek, is the honorary foundation secretary of the Sydney Cheerio Cluh, which promotes social functions to raise funds for numerous philantrophic purposes. It is 20 years since Mr. Fitzpatriek first visited Rotorua and he has naturally seen many changes. Trees i which were then newly planted were now giving welcome shade. As a landholder in the Perpetual Forests, Limited, he was also struclc by the immense area which has been planted in the Rotorua ..district, and he thought these plantings should be encouraged.

Our Fine Baths . ' V-H One thing which caused him great surprise was the absence of big crowds at the wonderful baths which were provided in Rotorua. He expected to see these baths full of people and failed to understand why more local people did not avail themselves of the advantages provided. The therapeutic and stimulating value of the Rotorua baths were eertainly out of the ordinary. Speaking of his visit to Wairakei Mr. Fitzpatriek declared that that spot had outstanding appeal from the point of view of rest and attractions. The Maoris He had also a strong word of praise for the Maoris, whom he considered could not be justly condemned for lack of ambition and application when compared with Europeans whose ambitions for personal power, ruthless energy and enthusiasm for gain took no thought of "the rights of others. Their culture and education was outstanding in comparison with other aboriginal people. Visit to Parliament

While in Well'ngton Mr. Fitzpatriek visited Parliament and had an interview with Mr. Coates and also discussed hospital affairs wtih Mr. J. A. Young, Mipister for Health. He was much impressed by the calibre of the House of Representatives. This did not apply solely to members of the Coalition Government, but included members of the Labour Opposition. He was pleased also to meet Mr. W. Nash, who had kindred associations with charitable institutions, and Mr. M. Savage, who seemed to be particularly well informed with regard to Australian conditions. He had not met the Native Minister, Sir Apirana Ngata, but he was struck by the unselfish and modest tones of his speeches. So far as his visit to Rotorua was concerned he felt very grateful to Mr. L. J. Bayfeild, manager of the Tourist Department, for his courtesy and assistance in making his stay in the district enjoyable.