ROTORUA RESERVE.

Auckland Star, Volume LI, Issue 211, 3 September 1920, Page 4

ROTORUA RESERVE.

EXCLUSION OP THE PUBLIC. EHFECTFVE PROTEST. Colonel Hogrg. commandant of Enz George Hospital, in reply to the secretary of the Rotorua ■Chamber of Commerce with Tefcrence to the exclusion of the public from the Pukeroa Beeerve, states t!hat tJiis step was taken, "to safeguard in every way our soldier patients, the 'hospital itself from trespassers, onr grounds from acts of vandalism and petty thefts."' Hβ hud placed the matter in the ih&nds of General McGavin, Director-General of Medical Services, but would be pleased to confer with the chairman of tlhe chamber and Mr. HJH, of the Tourist Department. The chamber decided to agTee to a conference, and suggested that a representative of the native race should participate therein. A deputation of Maoris subsequently met Colonel Hogg, and stated thai Pukeroa was a free gift from: tne natives for all time, for a recreatiaa ground and park. Colonel Hogg explained the reason for excluding the puWic, adding that, as his difficulty was now made known, and the public would doubtless assist him, bis aim had been attained. The people of Rotorua would no longer be debarred from enjoying the advantage of the reserve. —