THE HOT LAKES CHRONICLE AND Tourists' Journal. WEDNESDAY, JUNE 26, 1895.

Hot Lakes Chronicle, Volume 2, Issue 127, 26 June 1895, Page 2

THE HOT LAKES CHRONICLE AND Tourists' Journal. WEDNESDAY, JUNE 26, 1895.

In a towu such as Rotorua which in the fulness of time is bound to deve l lop into the health resort, par excelleuce, of tho southern hemisphere, it is the especial function of tho local' authority, however constituted, to take such steps as will provide an effective means for the disposal of the town's sewage. At present this district may he regarded as only in an oiubryo condition so far as its position ;is a spa or sanatorium is Concerned. Where a hundred tourists may be found now, in thd course of a few years they will be counted by thousands, and it is suicidal policy to refrain any longer from formulating such a scheme of sanitation as will toud to ensure the cleanliness of the place and the health of the residents. Every individual in-, habitant of the two townships when spoken to admits Che gravity of the situation, but salvos his conscience with the idea that the disposal of the sewage is a matter which is the special function of the Town Hoard. So, in a measure, it is, and if we mistako ' not, that body is fully alive to the I gravity of the situation and lias for- | miilated a set of bye-laws for the j governance of the place on similar lines to those in use in boroughs such as Tauranga. These bye-laws are now with tho Crown Law officers for revision. In how groat a degree, however, would their hands be strengthened if they' could count on the intelligent sympathy and support of tho people in their efforts. In dealing with this matter it is the first stop which counts, and that step can-, not be taken too soon. The largo hotels which are being erected in the new township are making provision for dealing with tho sewage as far as their own premises are concerned, but how much more satisfactory it would be for tho proprietors of these, and of other establishments about to be erected, were a scheme formulated now ' which could bo adapted to their rei quirements. Tho first thing to bo considered is the manner in which I funds can be raised to meet the cost. ; This could only bo done by floating a loan, and to effect this it would be necessary that the Government, should hand Over a part or tho whole of tho town rents for a term of years as security for tho money. It is acknowledged that the Government after a long of heedlessness to our wants, has donejmuch for this place I and that is a good and sufficient rea. son for their doing a little more. If Rotorua is to be a Sanatorium in anything mor6 than name the wholesomeness of the place must be beyond the faintest breath of suspicion. This is not so now, as witness the cases of incipient typhoid which aro from time to time reported. This is a matter concerning -which on'y tho plainest spoaking will servo, and it is no relief to point to the fact that none of the cases in which Europeans have been affected have terminated fatally. The knowledge, suspicion even, that such a disease is present hero would divert the whole stream of tourist traffic dur- . ing tho coming season, as to a ceitcin extent it did last year. If such were to occur tho people here wodld be alone to blamu for their apathy in tho matter It is not likely that the Govern, jent will be iuclinod to holp pooplo who betray no anxiety to help themselves. It is ascertained from certain levels which have been already taken that there is sufficient fall from all parts of [ the two townships to permit of tiio i sewago being thoroughly cleansed by percolation through tho soil bofore it enters the Puarouga Creek, thence to make its way into the lako. Under such conditions only could the utilisation of tho lake be thought of. Tho provision of silt basins has been Bug-* gested, but this is a cumbersome and expensive undertaking, and in our

opinion would not be so efficacious as the establishment of a sewage farm. Judging from what is stated of the experience of Adelaide, South Australia, and other large cities on that Continent, we are inclined to think that such a scheme would be worthy of adoption in Eotorua. In regard to the disposal of fecal [ matter wo do not think that an}' better j system could be adopted than the | earth closet, provided always that the I excreta be taken away from the houses to a depot outside tho town limits and and there disposed of. Tho practice which is followed by many residents of emptying their closets in shallow pits on their own ground cannot be too strongly condemned and ought to bo peremptorily stopped forthwith. An efficient night system so far as the closets are concerned could bo established here at once, as it is a matter entirely apart from that of tho dis posul of sewage. It will be of infinite service to the members of the Town Board u lien they are considering the revised bye-laws to have tho suggestions of their fello\v-to\vnsruen to aid them in their deliberations on this important matter, and it is 'with the object of eliciting the views of those of our readers who are conversant with sanitary measures that these remarks nro penned.