Tourist and Health Resorts Departmant.

Te Aroha News, Volume XXII, Issue 42777, 12 September 1905, Page 2

Tourist and Health Resorts Departmant.

FOURTH ANNUAL REPORT. In the fourth annual report of the Tourist and-Health Resorts of New Zealand, Te Aroha : is dealt with, at some length. For the year ending March 31st, 1905, says the report of the Resident Medical Officer, the total receipts amounted to £1,542 14s 7d for bath fees, players’ and library fees, etc. The number of private baths taken was 24,328; public, 14,531, and including 116 free,’makes a total for the year of 38,975. The Medical Officer, whilst admitting the great improvements to the Domain grounds, regrets that more progress has not been made as regards some of the baths and their equipments, and the securing of an additional supply of hpt mineral water and also states that although in the 1903 and 1904 reports it was recommended that the douche baths should be reformed, yet so far nothing has been done. He therefore urges for early prospecting for more hot water in order to more efficiently supply the douches. After dealing with the various improvements and alterations which have been carried out in connection with the baths and grounds, the report gives the following : miscellaneous works undertaken during 1904. A light and handy ambulance has been supplied for the mutual benefit of the Government Domain and the town, which will enable the sick or injured to be more easily conveyed to and from their homes.

A suitable bath-chair has been supplied for the use of patients visiting the baths. A range of lockers has been fixed in the bowling-green pavilion, and has proved a great boon to bowlers. As regards the fee charged for the hire of the lockers (3s 6d per season), the general opinion is that it is to 6 high, which may possibly account for the fact that only eight have been taken up. The Department’s bowls have been tested and stamped in Wellington by the Northern Bowling Association, thus enabling inter-club or inter-association matches and tournaments to beplayed with these bowls. Already 3 very successful tournaments have been held in Te Aroha, which were the means of attracting a large number of visiting bowlers and their friends to the place. Three sets of croquet material have been supplied to the public.

RECOMMENDATIONS FOR THE CURRENT YEAR. The following recommendations, contained in the reports of previous years are still under consideration, viz. : (a.) Prospecting for an additional supply of hot water. This matter has been referred to at the beginning of this report. (b.) Formation of vapour bath; utilising the hot vapour now going to waste in the tunnel. (c.) Formation of douche bath ; also refei red to in a former portion of this report. (d.) Formation of Tallerman and electric baths. (e.) The proper conservation of Springs Nos. 20 and 21. (f.) Pump-room.—A most important and necessary improvement. (g.) Lighting the Grounds and Buildings.— Tenders have been accepted by the Borough Council for the installation of electric light in the town, and the work is expected to be completed in December next, so that we may with every confidence anticipate that the defective and cumbersome method of lighting with kerosene-lamps will soon be a thing of the past. In addition to the foregoing, I would recommend the following:— (h.) Suitable medical and surgical furniture, instruments, and appliances .are wanted. (i.) Bowling-green.—The drainage of the existing green is admittelly imperfect, a fact due to faulty construction when the green was first laid down by the late Domain Board. Matters in this connection reached a climax last New Year, when a bowling tournament was interfered with through a heavy downfall on the day prior to commencement, and the ground became too sodden to allow of play being started. Strong complaints were made, and it was evident that by comparison with other greens ours-was defective. The matter of lifting the present surface and getting down to the clay bottom, so as to build afresh, was gone into, but the cost would have been, comparatively, prohibitive, and, in addition, the work if undertaken would have entailed the closing of the green for a whole season. As an alternative, I now propose the formation of an additional green on the lower lawn, adjacent to the existing one. One or other of the greens could then be used as a wintergreen, and the top-dressing of oaoh could be undertaken alternately at different times of the year. The advantages of such an undertaking would be—(l) the cost of forming this new green would be no greater than that of putting the present one in first-class order; (2) a comparatively useless piece of ground would be utilised ; (3) bowlers could indulge in their favourite pastime all the year round during fine weather ; (4) additional and much-. needed accommodation would be provided for those who -wish to play, and thus meet a complaint of those married men who state that

they have no amnsemont when herewith their wives and families ; (5) an additional source of revonuo and attraction would thus be provided. (j.) Urinals. —A convenience for males is much needed in close proximity to the asphalt tennis-courts, and another immediately to the rear of the bowling-green pavilion. (k.). Meteorological Station. —It? very essentiaTtha't daily observations 0} our- temperature and climate sgoidd he recorded for statistical and other- purposes. I therefore recommend, gfter the selection of a suitable site, that the same be fenced in, to prevent unauthorised accoss tq the instruments of observation, (1.) Garden-seats. —There is a great paucity of such seats throughout the Domain grounds, and many of the existing ones are in very had order. I therefore recommend the supply of twelve new scats, and the renovation of many of the existing ones, , I have, etc,, Gnq. G, Kenxy. M,B„ C.M., Resident Medical Officer. Superintendent, Tourist Department, Welin gton,