TE AROHA MINERAL WATERS DR ERSON'S OPINION.

Te Aroha News, Volume IV, Issue 171, 25 September 1886, Page 2

TE AROHA MINERAL WATERS DR ERSON'S OPINION.

(to the editor.) Sir, — As a visitor to your interesting town, and one who has had an opportunity of practically testing the highly valuable medicinal properties and ' benefits of the' Hot Springs — with which Mature lias so bountifully endowed your district, — perhaps you will allow me space to tender my mede of praise, and also to throw out a few suggestions, which, if acted upon, would prove not only of vast benefit to the community at large, but also tend to make Te Aroha

occupy that position which ' undoubtedly \ Nature has mapped out for her, i.e., 11 The Sanatorium of New Zealand." The analysis of the springs, and the highly medicinal value of their constituents, at once, indicate a residence here, and .course of judicious treatment, as the i " El Dorado" for the majority of unfortunate sufferers in most forms of rheumatism, gout, a large number of kidney affections, and last, but not least, that common " ill which flesh is heir to"-, — dyspepsia. You will notice that I have italicised the word judicious, as promiscuous and careless abuse of these gifts of Nature, would only tend to deprive sufferers of the benefits likely to be derived, causing disappointment, and defeating the desired end in view. The large number of visitors who crme here for their health and to gain benefit from partaking of the advantages offered by the hot springs, must of necessity contain a diversity of constitutions, and not a few suffering from old standing illness and chronic diseases. In order to give these sufferers full confidence, not only in the course of treatment (which is an indispensibie factor of success), but also to allow a thoroughly scientific application of the means, the supervision and direction of an experienced physician, is" indispensible ; on the one liAnd, to give the public the full advantage ol these priceless gifts, which Nature has so bountifully placed within their grasp: and on the other hand, to raise T( Aroha to the position of a thriving sanatorium. I understand that the Government were some time ago asked to sub sidise a duly qualified and experienced practitioner, but that so far the request has not been acceded to. A libers subsidy guaranteed for severai years, would most probably induce an experienced physician to settle here' and the gain to Government by means ol immensely increased railway traffic, and development of the township, would rapidly repay the first outlay. I am personally aware of the fact that medical men feel chary of sending patients here owing to the absence of some one under whom they might take advantage of the benefits of the hot springs ; and alsc that numbers 77- perhaps unwarrantably — do not care to undergo treatment without professional direction. Anothei mateiial obstacle to the progress of the town will always remain so long as i an eight hours journey from Auckland is i inflicted upon every visitor here. It U wearying enough to the healthy ; to the invalid it is trying in the extreme. Lei the Government but come, as it should do, to the assistance of this deservedl) rising and important sanatorium, and place here a medical superintendent , who is qualified to advise ou the besl application of these valuable springs further, to commence with say once 01 twice weekly, allow an express train te connect Te Aroha and Auckland, anc the number of visitors here would soor be quadrupled. Instead of the bare hill sides at present to be seen, pleasant villas would rapidly dot their surface, occupied by those who were induced either by illhealth or pleasure to reside in pioximitj to so many natural advantages. Again a suggestion, which might at once be adopted, provide a male and female attendant to wait upon and assist the bathers (this remark applies more particularly to No. 2 Bath). Need I point further than to Harrogate, Buxton, Matlock, and Tunbridge Wells, in the Old Country, all possessing mineral springs, which do not boast a tithe of the advantages offered by those at Te Aroha; and in each individual instance, the existence of these springs has metamorphised little hamlets into large and prosperous towns, boasting their thousands of visitors and residents ; and at each place is a sanatorium presided over by qualified experienced physicians, who direct sufferers as to the best means of making use of the advantages offered. It seems however, a parody to suggesting certain steps for the Government to undertake in order to develope the resources of the hot springs — when one reads on the other haud of the recent action taken by the Domain Board which cannot possibly have any other result than to injure very materially in the eyes of the public the position of Te Aroha as a sanatorium. I understand for a paltry sum, permission has been given to some individual to use the walls of the baths for advertising purposes for five years 1 What a shortsighted policy I The walls at present lack any pretension to an asthetic tendency, but at all events they present an appearance of cleanliness and purity which I fear the Domain Board cannot guarantee in the future if this permit be not withdrawn. With the crowds that come here the advertising ought at least to be worth a sum of fifty or more pounds a year. But why for any sum destroy the requisite privacy of these baths by displaying advertisements, which to most people will be • obnoxious, if even their subject do not border upon the objectionable.' It is a matter Jwhich, a for selfprotection and interest sake, should call forth a very emphatic protest from the townspeople, and all visitors to, the baths. I must apologise for trespassing at such length upon your space, but a desire to have your priceless mineral waters and splendidly situated township placed to best account, must be my excuse ; and I am sure all who recognise the advantages offered, will agree with me in saying that the carrying out of the above suggestions would rapidly open up a new and pro^erous era for Te 'Aroha, to the advantage of the public at large, and the Government of the country. — I am, &c, William Kobbrt Erson, L.F.P. & S., L.S.A., ton. (of Onehunga.) Te Aroha, Sept. 23, 1886.