NEEDS OF HANMER.

Press, Volume LVIII, Issue 17431, 17 April 1922, Page 7

NEEDS OF HANMER.

DEPUTATION TO MINISTER. AN ENCOTTBAGING BEPLY. T»T? e «°^u C - , J " Parr > of Public Health, who is at present spending a few days at Hanmer Springs attending to Departmental matters" was waited upon on Saturday morning by a representative deputation of visitors who brought under his notice several matters of interest and importance to the resort The deputation, which was arranged by the Canterbury Progress League was headed by Messrs A F bright (Progress League) and S. Solol mon, KG., pf Dunedin, and was supported by prominent residents from all parts of the South Island.

Mr G. W. Forbes, M.P.j outlined the reasons for the deputation and in a semi-humorous address, stressed the point that the Tourist Department was the Cinderella among the Government departments. Hanmer was suffering from the lack of an adequate water supply, electric light, accommodation, and a general want of interest on the part of the Government. Mr A. F. Wright stated that if the Tourist Department Was the Cinderella department, then Hanmer was undoubtedly the Cinderella among resorts, as it was sadly in need of proper attention. He hoped it was not true that the golf links were to be converted into a grazing pasture for cattle, as had been rumoured. He drew attention to the recent curtailment of the hours of attendance at the baths, which he stated were causing much inconvenience to visitors. JTTr Solomon said that Hanmer was looked on as a South Island resort and was an exceedingly popular place. Unless it was given better attention than was at present the case there was a grave danger of its going back in public favour. ~ In his reply the Minister said it was his first visit to the Springs and after having carried out a general survey of the place he agreed with the speakers that theie was room for improvements. He was impressed with the charm of Hanmer as a health resort,' and while the present was not a time when there was much money available for carrying but all the improvement that were needed, he would go as far - as to say that the golf links would not be disturbed and that the hours of attendance at the bath houses would be altered in accordance with the proposals set out by the deputation. As far as the electric light and water supply were concerned, he would at once have a report prepared on the subject for the purpose,-of ascertaining how far he could go in the direction of carrying out the improvements required in this connexion. The deputation thanked the Minister for his encouraging remarks and promises of immediate improvement, the members expressing satisfaction with the manner in which the deputation had been-received.