Rotorua

New Zealand Tablet, 13 August 1908, Page 13

Rotorua

, , (From Our Own Correspondent.) August 4. ' ' The Very Rev. Dean .Lighthearl has just concluded a.visitation of the missions under his charge. The recent severe weather experienced in this neighborhood made travelling very dis-, agreeable. < - ■ ."-''" ' ■ The new bxith building, which will be opened on the 13th inst., is rapidly rearing completion. All the baths arp now, ■in position, and the work of laying on- the water is being pro* .ceeded with. All the bathrooms are luxuriantly furnished; each -containing a couch, chair, and large mirror. All the private■baths are of porcelain, while the public bath's are of tiles. Each bathroom has a telephone in close proximity, from -vvhich the wants of bathers can be communicated to the assistants. The statuary" which was at the- late New Zealand Exhibition occupies a- conspicuous position in the main hall of the building and in

the gallery. The baths will accommodate 1000 bathers per diem, which should cope with the greatest of demands.

Great preparations are being made locally for the reception j of the officers of the American fleet and Parliamentary party on their arrival. Owing to the party arriving in Rotorua late on Wednesday night, the formal reception will- not take place^ until the following morning. The main feature of the reception will be the Maori ceremony, which will commence as the party arrives at the Government- gardens. At the - conclusion of the" reception the beautiful new bath buildings, erected, for the TouristDepartment, will be opened by Sir Joseph Ward". , In. the afternoon the party will be given an opportunity of viewing the "weird and wonderful sights of Whalc-arewarewa, where the Wairoa" geyser, acting under a saponaceous influence, will be called upon for a display. It 1 is"* estimated that the party will consist of 500 persons in all.

During the past -week a complimentary social was tendered to the Rotorua Town Band by Dean Lightheart and the late* bazaar committee. The function was an unqualified success, and a very enjoyable evening was spent. In a short address .the Dean spoke highly of the charitable spirit displayed- by the band; all denominations had had the services of the band- gratuitously, and whenever any charitable objects were promoted locally the band's services were cheerfully and freely given. He considered the band one of Rotorua's greatest assets, and he was protid, as head of the Catholic Church in Rotorua, of the 'fact that his congregation was the first to show , recognition of the ■ band's services. He also stated that at the late -bazaar the band played for two hours each evening, and demanded nothing; and now he was exceedingly pleased to say that through the untiring efforts of the committee he was able, to hand to the band, as a slight recognition of their services, a cheque for £23. Other felicitous speeches were also made, after which the members of the band were the guests of Dean Lightheart .and the committee at supper. . '

Father Holierhoek, who recently returned from a visit to the Old Country, spent a few days in Rotorua,- on his way to Matata, where he takes up his permanent -residence. The rev gentleman undertook the trip Home owing to ill-health, and has returned completely cured of a malady from which he suffered for over twenty years. In relating the story of his cure, Father Holierhoek says : ' While still at college, some twenty odd year* ago, I met with an accident to my leg, and, gangrene setting in the wound never healed. It was with the greatest difficulty thai I earned out my work among the Maoris, and eventually after twenty years, my health broke down. I determined on a 'visit to the Old Country, and went tp Lourdes. Here I remained some time at the shrine, where I witnessed some miraculous cures • among others I saw a girl who had been blind from birth receive a\ u°l • dayS * Prayed that my wound mi fi ht be healed, and bathed it . constantly with the Water I obtained from the TPT P u n s' . tiCed little im P rover «ent for three days, but after I had said Mass at the grotto- on the fourth day I adjourned to my hotel, and, bathing the wound with the water, I said a rosary after each application. Now a wonderful change came over the wound, and at the end of every bathing I witnessed' with the greatest of joy, the wound slowly healing up. TToT C oo n l famfed the rosary and bathing alternately until, to m y great dehght, I saw the skin form over the opening in thTJZd most'f h g T StasrS ' ' Sh ° Wed my "* to *™ in the Tote,; most of whom knew what state it was in. There was grea wTrad t tHat Yi' ' Can tdl yy ° U ' and after bSffst went to a doctor and showed him the cure. He pronounced my leg cured, not being able to find a weak spot in it Jm« W Holierhoek 's leg was in, having seen the wounH « occasions, it has impressed him as a very ßemarkable c ""^ the only visible evidence remaining of tte pXf u l wo! rt' • slight discoloration of the skin. Father Ho^trh 1, 1S * o an d re r ng h the "7 wonders and those he was fortunate in being a witness thereto. " • C8 '