ROTORUA BATH CHARGES.

Press, Volume LIX, Issue 17940, 7 December 1923, Page 8

ROTORUA BATH CHARGES.

PROTEST AGAINST INCREASE.

(SPECIAi, TO "THE PRESS,")

AUCKLAND 1 , December 6. A discussion on the charges far the baths at Rotorua took place between! a deputation and the Hon. W. Nosworthy, Minister in Chargo of Tourist and Health Resorts. The Mayor (Mr O. H. Clinkard) said there had been considerable agitation with refer' ence to commutation tickets. Many people who came for treatment were poor people, and went away after a fortnight's course, instead of one of three weeks. The rise affecting sick people was from 9d to Is (id, or 100 per ocnt., but to tourists it was only SO per cent. The Minister sjaid that the Rotorua bath fees were just half what they were in Europe. He was determined to make both ends meet or ahut up tho baths. He had got things iu order now, and tf-as not going to make it a losing proposition, although he waa always ready to listen to suggestions for im> provemer.t. Nothing was done differently at Rotorun from what was dorm at tho large watering places. He would look into the matter of charges. "I j don't want to stand in the road of pro- j gvess," concluded the Minister, but I am.going to take care not to pet into ! an unsatisfactory tiivancial position." One speaker said he thought that the iiurease in tho prices of tickets had been detrimental from the standpoint of revenue. Before the alterations twelve residents went to one particular bathu but now there was only one. The residents kept the b:ith going in the winter, hut their revenue whs being lost to the Department. From business point it wa.s a mistake.