COLD SWIMMING BATH AT HANMER.

Press, Volume LXI, Issue 11790, 13 January 1904, Page 8

COLD SWIMMING BATH AT HANMER.

TO THE EDITOB OF THE FBES9. Sir,—As you evidently (judging from the frequent reference made to the subject in editorial articles') take great interest in. the development of the Hanmeir sanatorium, I forward herewith for publication, for the information of your readers, a memo., addressed to myself by tfce Minister ia. charge of the health rescrta of the colony, in connection with the shore subject. As it has teen my practice for several years post to visit Hanmer it the dose of the session, I abo, like yourself, dseire to sea the beet use possible made of the Springs and their surroundings, and while staying there, as usual, a fortnight ago, thought it right to. make certain represent ttutiona to Sir Joseph Ward, to which the enclosed msmo. » the reply: — . "Sir Wm. Steward, M.H.R., Lake Tekapo,—Re cold water bathe, Hanmer, ths matter was v«ry fully considered. ■ The flow of hot water is very limited, being practically none to spare now, and the supply, as far as can be seen, cannot be increased. Tie traffic" to Hanmer is steadily increasing, and consequently with it demands for bathing facilities. The majority of those whogo to Hanmer are not invalids, and do not require medicinal waters treatment, but go there simply for rest and change. When, there they naturally induTge in bathing, and very many of them, during the summer months, would prefer a dip in clear cold water rather than go into hot water pools which cannot be emptied frequently on account of the long time they take to refill. The Superintendent of the Department,, as well as the balnealogist went fully into the matter, and the proposal to provide cold water swimming baths was strongly recommended by both. In dealing with Hanmer, the interests of the whole colony have to be considered. Giving the whole position consideration I am of opinion that cold water baths are not only desirable but necessary at Hanmer,— J. O. Ward."

Upon making enquiry as to ihe accommodation provided, the number of visitors this season, etc., I learned that there is greai neeS of further provision for eecondelass visitors at the Spa—that is to isay visitors who desire to avail themselves of th« lower tariff; indeed, I was credibly informed that owing to the insufficiency of the existing accommodation over thirty such visitors oave had to be refused this season. This fact notwithstanding, there appears to hi no present intention of enlarging the Sanatorium, although come hundreds of pounds are being spent on tea rooms, for which tt seems to mc there Li far kss need, while also-1 kern, thai it is in contemplation to construct a cold water ewimming bath at a cost of about x!8C0. As a Canterbury member I thought it my duty to represent to the Minister the expediency of enlarging the Sanatorium instead of spending th« mon*y in the way proposed, and regret that Sir Joseph has determined otherwise, as I cannot help tliinkinir that be ha* been wronglr advised. I think if he visited Hanmer himself it would conduce to catisfactory results.— Yours, etc., WM. J. STEWARD. Lake Tekapo Station, January 9th : 19C4.

This fact notwithstanding, there appears to hi no present intention of enlarging the Sanatorium, although come hundreds of pounds are being spent on tea rooms, for which tt seems to mc there Li far kss need, while also-1 kern, that it is in contemplation to construct a cold water ewimming bath at a cost of about x!8C0.