A GOVERNMENT TOWN.

Auckland Star, Volume XXXVIII, Issue 166, 13 July 1907, Page 7

A GOVERNMENT TOWN.

CONTROL OF ROTORUA. (By Telegraph.—Parliamentary Reporter.) ■WELLINGTON, Friday. The Eotorua. Town Bill, promoted by the Government with the object of transferring ' the whole control of the town to the Tourist Department, was read a second time in the House last night; • ■ In moving the second reading of the bill, the Premier said that Roiorua. represented an experiment in Government control of a town. The Tonrist Department provided the main, sources of attraction for visitors, as -well aa the public services and conveniences for the residents. The bill proposed to transfer the control of the town of Rotorua from the Town Council that had managed its affairs in the past, to the Tourist Department, and to make provision for the Department undertaking the financial and general control of the borough. The only point really involved was the making and maintenance of roads and maintenance of the public library. There was a self-contained fire brigade, and the Department at present ■controlled the water supply, the drainage system, the parks and gardens, the wharves, the public baths, and the other utiliti.es connected with the town. Some people in Rotorua had been said to be opposed to control by the Department, but a public meeting called to voice that opposition had been attended by only sis.people. In July, 1906, a meeting had been called by the chairman of the Town Council, and that meeting had carried motions approving of the proposal to place the control of Rotorua in the hands of the Tourist Department. For the past five years the whole revenue of the Town Council had amounted to £15,386, of which £14*182 had been contributed by the Government while the balance of £4193 had been collected by the Town Council. No rates ■were levied on the people, who were free from the taxation which had to be imposed when a local authority provided a water supply or lighting. The Government had spent about £100,000 in Rotorua, and further heavy expenditure would be necessary in connection with the extension of the electric light plant. Assuming that the State did not take over the whoel control of the town it would be necessary for the "local authority to take over the whole of the. public utility works at a valuation; otherwise it would not be equitable to the remainder of the colony, seeing that Rotorua -was not rated for its water supply and electric light scheme. Rotorua had not only paid its way, but was giving a considerable amount over and above it to the coffers of the treasury. In the future, whatever its administration, Rotorua would require Ito have a greatly extended system to meet the demands of the ever-increasing number of people who were attracted there, not only on account of the extraordinary convulsions of nature, but in consequence of the curative power of the waters. To ensure that the town would meet the demands of the future, it was very essential that it should be placed under the centrol of the Tourist Department, thus avoiding dual control with its attendant trouble and friction.

Mr. Berries (Bay of Plenty) said he did not inted' to 6jipo3e the^b'ffl''because he' had, ■■Hot^Sad. .tiiEe^,o.,e6nsult,:hi3:vC0 n * ■stituents. - He hoped the bili would hot ibe 'hurried throiigh, so : that he could

take an opportunity of ascertaining whether the people desired any amendments. He noticed that the bill did not give the Government, the right to levy a special tax, but apparently this did; not preclude an ordinary tax, which, seeing, that' there would be no representation, was manifestly unfair. Mr. Symes (Patea) remarked that tlie bill would do good even if it only improved the condition of Rotoraa sanatorium, for lie had been told by a, man who took his wife there, that she had to be taken away because it was worse than going to gaoL The Premier recommended Mt. Symea never to believe rumours. Anyoae who had. been to the sanatorium -would realise that it was a gross and palpable exaggeration.