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Rotorua Morning Post, Volume 3, Issue 673, 27 October 1933, Page 6

W. L.

RICHA'RDS.

(To the Editor) .Sir, — (The report in this morning's paper, in reference to sports' organisations applying to the Borough Council for guaranteas against loss on functions that may he held, and the subsequent discussdon is somewhat misleading from the pufblic stanldpoint, .and as it refers to the Rotorua Amateur Swimming Club, it calls for an explanation. The Advancement Committee is, I take it, an answer to the oft repeated criticism, that tourists are attracted hy advertisement to Rotorua and when they arrive, no> provision is miade to provide amusement for them. A sum of money was allocat'ed for this purpose by the council and the committee was appointed with the definite object of utilising these funds, not merely to attract people here, but to entertain them during their sta.y. iCouncillor Banks and his corfimittee realise this, but apparently Councillor Steele does not, otherwise he would not have made the absurd statement attrihuted to him, viz., that the council should not he called upon to support financially the aetivities of a sports organisation, which the Advancement Committee 'had approached to assist them with the carnival proposals. (Had Cr. Steele taken the trouble to ascertain the fact hefore expressing an opinion on a matter that he is evidently nott conversant with, the foliowing position would have beeru revealed: A letter was received hy the Rotorua Aimateur Swimming Club from the Advancemient Committee, suggestiiugj thai^ our organiisation promote a swimming carnival on Decemher 28 with the object of providing additional pleasure for the anticipated .influx of visitors. Although the date did not fit in with the club's schedule, in defertnce to the Advancement Committee (because we ibelieve they are working on the right lines) it was decided to hold this function, and a reply was 'sent to this effect, conditionally that the club was reimbursed in the event of a possible loss a contingency which I am sure the public who provide the funds would not consider unreasonable. The Advancement Committee gave this guarantee to the cluib- last year, •but, owing principally to the fine weather, the carnival was a pronounced success, and the committee's funds were not called upon, consequently our club did not contribute to the deficit mentioned by Cr. Goodson. Most people I aon sure realise the amount of voluntary effort associated with sports organisations and •proibaibly appreeiate it, and it would seem more proper if those councillors who oppose the recommendation from the Advancement Committee, would fall into line and cordially support any suggestion that has for its object the ibetter entefltainment of visitors after they arrive in yur town. Rotorua is different to any other place in New Zealand; it "is undouht•edly unique and known throughout the world. Tourists come here not only to see the weird phenomena but to enjoy themselves in other ways, and dt is incumherit upon us all to cater for them in such a way that they will return to their homes with a lasting impression of the happy time speni; in Rotorua, and this can only be achieved hy the collective forces and hearty co-oiperation of both councillors and citizens. — I am, etc.,

Rotorua, 26/610/33.