Te Aroha AND Ohinemuri News THURSDAY, JULY 14, 1898.

Te Aroha News, Volume XIV, Issue 2128, 14 July 1898, Page 2

Te Aroha AND Ohinemuri News THURSDAY, JULY 14, 1898.

In'its noble rage for developing the resources of New, Zealand the present, what may fitly be described, argus- eyed Government is showing no disinciina-: lion to overlook the possibilities contained in the numerous thermal springs dotting a wide be't of country in the North Island. The-colony, or rather those at the head of affairs, have hitherto been strangely apathetic in this regard. These are, however, boginning to realize that, apart from sentiment, we cannot afford to neglect any factor that may be turned to national r-"nfinfc. In an endeavour to true* - his in ifference to its source it ould-be o-neuibered that the conditions to vV rich these hot springs owe their oirtu are abnormal, and as such ar , 4 pt to excite the wonder and awe or mankind ever alert to seize upon and magnify evidences of our conuee tion with unseen and terrifying agencies, to the exclusion of other considerations. Whenever nature manifests a tendency, to depart from the rules by which her works are ordinarily* regulated the whole world and his wife instantly become agitated or to use an expression iu common use, devoured by curiosity. To gratify this absorbing passion men and women will spend large sums of money and undergo great inconvenience. „ No more convincing, and consequently fascinating proofs of the thinness of the crust that divides a humdrum ex istence from the scarce-to-be-imagined horrors of the lower regions, exist in this world of unfathomed mysteries than are to be seen in the course of a morning’s walk" through the Wonderland of New Zealand. ' Even ■ the hardened globe-trotter experiences a thrill, refreshing in its novelty, as he bends over some molten commotion and sniffs the peculiar odours associated in his miud from childhood with the gruesome kingdom of Piuto. There is in the world a great array of humanity with, well lined pockets and r -stmsb instinct-, as eager for a. new impression as the worn oul voluptuaries f aucieut Rome were for new pleasures. The fact is patent to the shallowest observer and hitherto the plutocratic hierarchy has devoted its energies solely to blazoning forth to he world at large the wonders and attractions of the Rotorua district.

We contend, however, that Rotorua has a higher mission to fulfil than pandering to the morbid cravings or wealthy curiosity hunters. By turning , it into a raree-show they miss the true purpose of its existence. Higher far in the economy of humanity is- its claim of therapeutic value for its waters. Looking at the facts so plentifully strewed around us it does not require m magniloquent phrase that they should be melted down in the seven times heated crucible of the imagination to discover Te Aroha’s destiny. It is manifest. To all her natural advantages and surpassing charms she adds a claim, that in the name of suffering humanity, she should be givt/n every chance to make good. It is as a Sanatorium; as a seldom failing and over responsive medium designed by Providence apparently for the alleviation of physical distress in certain acutely painful ailments of the body as a builder up of impoverished systems qud as a restore*’, in the overwrought, of yigorous heal h Te Aroha discovers her true mission in this world of complex and hidden suffering. The councillors we elected on Saturday have a great work before th :m. Not alone have they to legislate for the wants of a young municipality, the great water and light supply questions, with which fortunately snmo of the members* are peculiarly fitted to deal, looming meanwhile in the near future; but they will have to give a foremost place iu their agenda to the Domain and - its imperious demands upon their minute and painstaking attention, for in the Domain audits appurtenances are to be found the sole assets that stand betwixt us and a desolation as howling as that which to day threatens to overwhelm Waiorongomai.