"ALLOWED TO DRIFT."

Auckland Star, Volume LX, Issue 12, 15 January 1929, Page 10

"ALLOWED TO DRIFT."

ROTORUA NOT EXPLOITED. VISITOR'S IMPRESSIONS. RISING STAR OF TAUPO. ; (From Our Own Correspondent.) WELLINGTON, this day. "New Zealand, it is true, could boast of many attractions in both islands other than Rotorua, but one cannot deny that the thermal regions offer the best medium for spectacular attraction," said Mr. H. D. Bennett, a prominent Wellingtonian, who has returned from a tour in the Rotorua, Bay of Plenty and Taupo districts.

"As an investment the State could not do better than attack this great resort after the style of American or Continental boosters," said Mr. Bennett. "Money left in this country by tourists is in every way equal to the proceeds from the sale of national products.

"Up to a few years ago Rotorua was what was known as a Government township. There was then no local controlling body. The old Seddon and Ward Governments grappled with the possibilities, and incidentally created the famous Bath House, and made the Sanatorium grounds. With the advent of local control by way of a municipality, Rotorua has been allowed by the State to drift. To-day it is not too much to sav that it is a wash-out. Cut Out of Tourist Itinerary. '"Only long memories will recall the great evening gatherings in the Sanatorium grounds with the band at the rotunda, the aquatic carnivals, and other festive attractions. Except for a local and feeble attempt at a motor procession on New Year's Eve, an ill-organised stunt not exclusive to that town, a visitor concludes that Rotorua is famous only for its reputation.

"A couple of years or so ago this country was included in the itinerary of the Carinthia and the Franconia, two floating castles filled with American tourists ready and willing to spend by the thousand. Those and similar ships are still doing the world, but, alas, New Zealand is cut out. ''It is of little avail disposing of the circumstances by a shrug of the shoulders. We have the goods, but there is no window display, and if Rotorua to-day is an example the Franconia will not

Fishing Centre Moves. ''Trout fishing, at one period synonymous with the name of Rotorua and itself a great draw, is slowly but surely transferring itself to Taupo. Nobody bothers much about fishing at Botorna now, and one is prompted to inquire the reason. Lake launches at one time counted by the dozen have similarly dis* appeared. Lake trips are things of the past. 'It's not done now , is the only answer one gets.

"The same cannot be- said of Taupo and its beautiful lake and rivers. Of recent years this resort has developed in spite of paternal neglect on the part of the State. It may safely be predicted that with the completion of the RotoruaTaupo railway, at which there are at present hundreds of men engaged i> earthworks, Taupo will be a new star — further menacing the prospects ahead of Rotorua."

For a camping tour at holiday tiee "Sir. Bennett recommends quarters on the shores of Lake Taupo at any point be* tween Taupo and Tokaanu. An outboard engine and a dinghy places the world at your feet. "That is where I am going next time," concluded Mr. Bennett.