HOT POOL SAFEGUARDS

Rotorua Morning Post, Volume 2, Issue 563, 21 June 1933, Page 4

HOT POOL SAFEGUARDS

The distressing tragedy which occurred yesterday and which resulted in the death of a child through falling into a hot pool j in the vicinity of Ngapuna Pa, once again draws attention to the necessity for proper safeguards being provided in connection with these open pools. This is only one of a number of similar accidents and fatalities which have occurred over a period of years and which have I done something to. create the damaging impression that the thermal area is dangerous to I visitors. Unquestionably these || hot pools and other thermally

active spots are higmy aangeious but they should not be so when proper warnings and safeguards are provided. This has • largely been done in the areas commonly visited by tourists while the stipulation that guides must accompany visitors is also a safeguard. But there are still very many uncovered pools which constitute a very grave danger, not so much to adult visitors but to the native children who habitually play in their vicinity. ^Ngapuna, as one of the less frequented pas and one off the tourist route, is a bad example. It should fall within the province of the Native Department or of the village committees administering the pas to provide protecting fences around all pools where there is likelihood of an accident. Accidents cannot always be prevented but reasonable safeguards may very well save human life.