THE HOT SPRINGS.

Te Aroha News, Volume I, Issue 34, 26 January 1884, Page 7

THE HOT SPRINGS.

In the wonderful curative Thermal Springs, rising- in the very centre of the township of Te Aroha, the district possesses a source of wealth, that, if properly looked after, would be sufficient to support a considerable population. In a word, »:nder proper management, the district might be made the sanatorium and pleasuie resort for a large portion of this provincial district. Under existing drcum-tanees, however, we cannot hope that much benefit will accrue to the district from the existence of the Springs. There are three baths. The first is the one most frequently in use, which was erected by the residents at a cost of some £40. This is utilised not only by resident* in the district for ablutionary purposes, but by invalids from a distance in search of a cure for rheumatism, cutaneous diseases, etc , and it is also used by the residents for the purpose of washing dirty linen. Now, to these two latter uses we most strong I !}' 01-ject. There is something abhorent in the idea that a person in health should he compelled to bathe his limbs in the water ju-t vacated by a person covered with tumour-. Th ; Bo:mtin Toird. or whoever has tin authority, should insist t.iat persous suffering from skin disease should use the baf.h immediately behind the Hot Springs Hotel, an I they should let it be understood thai t.mt small bath is the hospital bath. Then, as to the practice, of washing dirty linen in the baths, lliis tiitliy habit should be put, doti§u vita a s>lrun^ hand; every resident

sliouitl n^si-itfclio authorities in sta nping out this disgusting practice. The new hath, erected by the Government at a cost oF £400, is quite useless from the fact that cohl springs were cut in the reservoir. We understand that during t ie visit of Mr Gordon, of the Government Mining Department, ire inspected the bath, and that his recommendation as to what should be done to make the bath useful is expected shortly. Constant complaints have been made of late fiat females do not keep the hours set apart for them, viz., from 10 a.m to 4 p.m., ;m 1 from 7 p.m. to 8 p.m. We feel $ure that after this hint the ladies will have a little consideration for the sterner sex and not encroach on their hours.