OPENING OF NEW BATH-HOUSE.

Te Aroha News, Volume XIV, Issue 2106, 26 May 1898, Page 2

OPENING OF NEW BATH-HOUSE.

. Wirsra the last few years as every j; succeeding twenty-fourth of May rolled by, the- fear has crept again and again into our hearts that it might be thelast on which the sun of an English, spring would brighten the scene of 1 quiet rejoicing, annually held at Windsor in celebration of the natal day of the best womsn that ever sat upon the English Throne,. Elizabeth-, of glorious memory,, with her pale, strong face,, thin lip 3,. red wisps of hair escaping under a heavily embroidered hood, jewelled stomacher,, enormous ruffles and all,, fills a large space in our pride, as a people ;, but, Yictoria, the Widow of Windsor, -by her goodness of- heart and devotion,, has all onr affectionsv Throughout' the vast Empire over which she-reigns the wish of her people ever is to mark the twenty - fourth —especially in the colonies is this so—by an event that will not be readily forgotten. Here lnTe Aroha,, by common consent, it was determined that one of the land marks, in our history—the opening of our splendid new bath-house—should be set up- on that auspicious day and aceordingly the Hon A. Cadman was invited to be our guest for the purpose,.; And a more suitable guest we could not have chosen. In his quiet and undemonstrative way- the hon gentleman has. been a right good friend to us. We feel that his interest in our welfare is perfectly sincere that he, more than any Minister in the present or- any past Government, has devoted more than the usual perfunctory departmental attention to the development of our resourcesthat.his regard is genuine, and that in the almost incessant labours of a busy life he has.yet been able to give time and' thought to the future of our now famous little borough. From an early hour on Tuesday mprning Te Aroha showed evidences- of the approaching celebration, and by midday over a thousand visitors had poured into- the place. Towards 12: 0-clock scores of children, volunteers, in full uniform and others interested, might have.been seen converging on the school ground which, had been fixed upon as the point of departure for the procession, which ultimately proved to be the most imposing we have ever seen in Te Aroha After Drum Major Stanley, the Band, Und the locaL volunteer company, trailed a long line of children from, the different schools in the neighbourhood [and. such a merry crowd as they formed it did one good to look at„. The weather was charming—being simply a perfect day. sandwiched in between .two slabs of the roughest and most boisterous we have had so far this year. True a heavy downpour of rain did fall late in the afternoon y but n -t until all the sports were over and most ef thepeople had got safely home The children sang the National Anthem, helped by the Band .under Mr D. Pearson, and the royal salute was most effective,' ■ -

OPENING CEREMONY. Prior to the opening ceremony, and after the Volunteers had been drawn up in line, Mr Cadrnan presented Sergt Salmon with the ‘ Euoek Belt,’ and a handsome gold medal presented to the winner of the *B'elt (Sergt. Salmon) donated by Mr Knock. Mr Cadrnan congratulated the winner in a few. felicitous sentences, and said that the medal was most creditable alike to. donor and winner.

The Volunteers were-then marched back to the lawn, after which., Mr Gavin briefly introduced Mr Cadrnan, who would then ©pen the new bathhouse..

Mr Cad man opened his remarks. by i stating that it was ah old adage that “ Cleanliness was, next to- Godliness,” and that although they oould never . make people clean by Act of Parliament yet, the community could do much in that direction by sanitary improvements. Prom- the earliest .period the Government had very wisely determined that the Thermal Springs should never become private property, but should always be held for the benefit of the country.. He then gave some reminiscences of his earlier acquaintance with Te Aroha at a time when there were-little else than a few mud holes, with an old piano case over them here and there to serve as dressing rooms. As far back as 1883 the Government of the day recognised the necessity of granting public money for improvements, and. ; the following record; of sums voted ' might be interesting In 1883 £5.0.0 ; was voted by the Rolleston Ministry . in 1884: £2OO by the Stout Ministry; in 1885 £I2OO by the Ballanee Government; and under the- regime of Hon. J. McKenzie, £3OO was voted in 1894,. L 133 in 1896, and L 3862 in 1897 (last year),; making a total of £6195. Since Mr McKenzie’S term: of office the sum of £4,295 had been voted, - and he regretted very much that Mr. Me Kenzie, who was detained by private • business, was unable to be present with him on this occasion. He gave the Domain Board every credit for their- careful administration, and thought they had worked wonders ! with the means at their disposal. The . following record for a 'peVied extending over 13. years, of the takings of the baths, would show the progress which had been made; and how as facilities were granted the-public had ( appreciated them: 1885, L 38 7; 1886, r L539 ; 1887, L 503; 1888, L 487 ; 1889, S L 463 ; r 1890, L 36 6;, 1891, L4ll ;

1892, L 42 7; 1893, L 46 6; 1894, L 406 ; 1895, L 421 ; 1896 (the year when the railway to Paeroa was opened), L 603 ; 1897., L 729-; and 1898 (of which only 4 months had gone), L3io. Figures like these spoke volumes for the> progress of Te Aroha. Recently 40 acres had been added to the Domain Reserve,; and. there was still room, for many improvements, but these' meant money, and could only come gradually as the means were available.. He thought that in the future a Sanatorium should be provided.. Visitors to Te Aroha might be divided into- two classes, via.,, pleasure' seekers and invalids; and that things-ought to be so arranged that both, could gain their object without unnecessary interference with each other. They might expect a great influx, of visitors- when the railway through to the Thames was completed, and they; were now in a position to. cope with such, for a few y ears at least. Speaking of bis-know-ledge of other watering places, throughout the colony, his experience was that in Te Aroha they had the best appointed bathing establishment in New Zealand. He had much pleasure, therefore, in declaring the new bath house open. The hon. gentleman concluded amidst, loud applause, after which three cheers were called for;, and given most enthusiastically. BANQUET TO HON A. J. C ADMAN.

A fitting- conclusion to a notable clay’s ceremonies was the banquet held in the Family Hotel tendered by the Te Aroha Football-Oiub- to their Patron (Hon A. J. Gadman).* their Presidents, and Vice-Presidents. A. large and most representative gathering sat down to dinner, which was purveyed in. splendid style by Mr P.. O’Meagher. Amongst those present were Messrs Wilson and Willetson (of Mr Cudman’s party), Mr J. W. Walker, Thames, Messrs Vickerman and Perham (of the Public Works Department)* and Mr Geo. Purchas. : (.The chair was occupied by 'Mr Phvitt (one of the Presidents of-the Club), and the by W. H. Berries, Esq.* M.H.R. (the other Presidont), .' ' : After the dinner had been discussed, a, lengthy toast list was gone through*, the first on the list being ‘ The Queen.’ In. proposing this toast the Chairman made appropriate reference to the recent death, of Mr Gladstone, whose loss we all deplore. This toast having been, duly honoured, Mr Herries then proposed ‘Our Patron, Hon A-J.. Cadmam’ In doing so Mr Herries felt certain, that this-toast would be drunk , with pleasure, and he had particular satisfaction as an Opposition member in proposing, k. It was oue of the characteristics of British political life that although men. might be hotly opposed in politics, yet outside of that all animosities were sunk. No gentleman was more highly esteemed in the house than Mr Cad man, and although he (the speaker) might be engaged iu a few months in trying to turn the hon gentleman off the Government benches, yet he personally entertained the highest regard for him. So long as men of Mr Cadman’s calibre were in the front there need be no fear of the welfare of'the colony. They were not there to toast the Cadrnan who. was. Minister of Mines ; ; the Cadrnan who was Minister of Railways ; they were there to toast the Cadinan. who was ‘ their own familiar friend,’ who had done so much for Te Aroha. (Applause). When the town had spread, as he felt certain it would do,; to Waihou on the one hand, and Waiorongomai on the other, he hoped they would remember Mr Cadrnan as one who whether in, or ©ut of office, had al ; ways had the welfare of' Te Aroha at j heart- He bad, great pleasure in proposing the toast of the health of the Hou A. J. Cadrnan. The toast was : received with, great enthusiasm, all present joining in singing ‘ For He’s ; a Jolly-Good Fellow.’ .

Mr Cadman, in responding, said that Mr Herries had only one fault, and that was, that he was, on. the wrong side politically. (Laughter). However, Mr Herries was young yet, and might live to see the his ways. (Laughter). ■As regards being turned out, he might, inform Mr Herries that they had no intention of leaving office just yet. When the present Government took office they were told they would not last 3; months. They were now entering on their Bth year of office. Mr Cadman then humourouslyreferred to-the fact that he was patron or president of many football, cricket, lawn tennis, and racing clubs, to all of which a certain financial responsibility attached’.'' He thought a little relaxation in the way of sport was good for- any man, but it ought to. be kept within due bounds, and not allowed to monopolise all our attention. He hoped the Te Aroha Football Club would go. on- and prosper, and he thanked them; for the cordial manner in which they had received, the toast of liis heath.. The Ifjti gentleman resumed his seat amidst loud applause.

.Toast: * Te Aroha Football Club,’ the responded to by Mr Rennick. Toast ;.- f ‘ The Presidents and Vice-Presidents,’ Mr J. T. Maingay, responded to by Messrs Pavitt, Herries, and Hi lb Toast r. ‘-The Domain Board,’ Mr James Mills. In proposing this- toast Mr Mills paid a high tribute to the Board for their efforts to advance- the interests of the town.. Being only human they-were liable to- err, but no good could be accomplished by abusing- tiiem, publicly. If all criticism was tendered in a. reasonable and temperate manner

something beneficial miglk be accomplished. This toast was received withmusical ''tumours.

Mr Gavin (chairman ©f the Board) in responding, said he had been connected with- the place since the mudhole period, and had always? taken an interest in. loGal affairs.. Be made it a guiding principle that the springs did not belong te Te Aroha but toNew Zealand. The progress of fireplace had been steady but certain, and he- was certain that was due to the line of policy indicated being carried out. As for criticism, when they entered into public life they must expect to be dealt with in public; and he thought members of the Board were ; pretty thick skinned. He thought ; when a number of- men were elected* : and did their best for the public- some : | credit should be given them, for. good intentions. He did not object tocriticism ©f himself personally, but he- ■ thought it should not take the form, lof injury to the place*, and' he was. sorry to say that much of the-criticism, had had that effect. He hoped that in future, critics would confine their-, attention to. the members o£ the Board-

Toast ‘ The Mining Industry,’' coupled with the names of Rev Joseph? Campbell, and Mr J. W.. Walker. MrW. HilL

Mr Campbell, in responding, said' ifc was a happy coincidence that his name? had been, coupled with Mr Walker’s,, as it was through Mr Walker’s influence, and under his auspices that he--, came' over to New Zealand on minings business. Having briefly referred to a. visit he had paid 1 many years ago, Mr* Campbell went on to say that no doubt, many of the townspeople had watched; with great interest the. erection of the-, building on the hill side, and wondered, why it was that he had been, so verymysterious, arid: apparently desirous of: keeping everything secret > Well that; was because many initial difficulties; .had'to be overcome* and- he did not. ■ want to be hampered; with too many around him. However, he hoped soon, to be able to ask them: all tip when, he? would- have much, pleasure in. ing all the details.to them. After 24days- and nights, of anxious care he-, was able to tell them that these diffirculties had been overcome,.and that ha-, was just as much convinced? of the-, ability of his process to deal with, therefractory ores in our midst as lie was* before he started.. In the-near futuresimilar works may fie started at Waiorongomai, and he hopgd wasnot far distant, when' the two, places- • Would: be practicably one to,vvh,,as shadowed by , previous -: .spealier;. Whatever the future of the mining, industry mightffio, there was a bright, prospect in view for To Aroha, as he-, felt confident that success would attend, his efforts. Although of the cloth, he „ felt bound to do his level .best to develop the mining fudustry by means off the. importation of foreign- capital from*. India, Australia and England, and he; had every confidence iu his being able-, to do so* ' - * .

Mr J. W. Walker also responded;, and in- a racy speech said he was not, quite as sanguine .of success as McGampbelL He had been a long whilein the business, and had seen too-many* reverses, but at the same time he* thought they should' suspend theirjudgment on the “ Doctor’s ” process,, and think, charitably of it,, until they were in a better position to judge off its merits.. , He would like to take-. advantage of the presence of the: Minister of Mines to point out to hims the necessity for special mining legis- ' lation, for Te Aroha. A uniform system? of mining, laws would not suit all districts,, as restrictions which might benecessary for a part of the field like, say the Thames, would be oppressive ini Te Aroha, where somuch difficulty was experienced in dealing with the ores. Toast :. “ Cur Members,” couplkS* with: the names of Messrs Cadman and Herries;. proposed by Mr Gavin and responded to by both, the gentlemen, named..

Toast:* ‘ Tne Ladies,proposed Mr Mclndoe, and responded to by MrWillesdon.. Toast: ‘ The Press,. ’ proposed' by Mr Gilchrist,, and responded: to by Mr Gotz. / The toast of i The Host and Hostess,’.' proposed by the Ohairmaa,. and acknowledged by Mr (FMeagher, conr eluded the toast; list, and the singing; of ‘ Auld Lang Syne f - brought to-a. ■close one of the most successful meetings of its kind ever held in Te Aroha.. i During the- evening the varioustoasts were interspersed with, songs, given by Messrs Melndoe, Pavitt,.senr,’ ; and junr,. Buchan,. Gillespie, Brennan^ , Woodsand Clarke,.and recitations were given by Messrs Wilson, and Mason*. Mr Bfyers, of Karangahake, actedltSg, accompanist, in- a highly efficient manner,, and Messrs Rennick and: Maingay, officers, of. the Cfub; were- * unremitting in their efforts to secure? : the comfort of all those present.