MARUIA SPRINGS RESORT

Press, Volume LXXXVIII, Issue 26869, 23 October 1952, Page 10

MARUIA SPRINGS RESORT

BATHING FACILITIES TO BE IMPROVED

(From Our Own Reporter) NELSON, October 22. An assurance that he would do what he could to improve the bathing facilities at Maruia Springs was given today by the general manager of the Tourist and Health Resorts Department (Mr R. W. Marshall) when he met a widely representative deputation at the Maruia Springs hostel. He added that £5OO had been placed on this year’s Estimates for preliminary The deputation of about 25 came from the South Island Local Bodies Association, the Nelson, Marlborough, West Coast League of Local Bodies, the Canterbury Progress League Chamber of Commer.ce, and local bodies; and public bodies and associations in Nelson, Buller, Inangahua, Greymouth, and Westland. Mr J. A. Harley, Mayor of Nelson, led the deputation. , x Speakers stressed that the present was the time for improvements to be carried out at Maruia, as the lease for the hostel and site had expired an“ fresh tenders were to be called. The curative value of the waters was emphasised, and the scenic beauties of the surroundings and the attractions for sportsmen and trampers. The deputation wanted to see reasonable accommodation provided at the hostel for the travelling public, and facilities for meals for service cars and other travellers. They decided to ask the Tourist and Health Department to develop the springs independently of the hostel. . In replv. Mr Marshall said his visit showed he was interested in doing something for Maruia. He had not been there since he visited the place 25 years ago on horse-back. Some improvements were definitely warranted, but they would be limited to comparatively simple facilities for bathing. The new lease for the hostel would provide for a 33-year lease with perpetual right of renewal, so as to give more security of tenure, said Mr Marshall. He had earmarked £5OO on this year’s Estimates for preliminary work at Maruia Springs, and as far as possible would give an assurance to im-prove-the area.