Still Not Happy About Rotorua

Press, Volume CIV, Issue 30686, 27 February 1965, Page 3

Still Not Happy About Rotorua

(New Zealand Press Association)

ROTORUA, February 26.

Mr G. L. Barker, president of the New Zealand Travel Agents’ Association, who described Rotorua as the most squalid place in New Zealand, admitted today he had not stayed in the city for “about three years.”

“But, three years ago it was in pretty poor condition,” said Mr Barker, of Lower Hutt. Mr Barker said he had “passed through” Rotorua about eight months ago. Asked whether he realised that the Government bathhouse —now known as Tudor Towers—had been extensively renovated and converted into a restaurant and community centre, Mr Barker replied that

he "realised something has been done.”

He said any improvements which had now been carried out around Rotorua had been long overdue. He was more concerned, however, that the “place wants a pretty good clean-up and continual maintenance.” He dismissed as an irresponsible statement the comment by Mr A. M. Linton, Mayor of Rotorua, at this week’s meeting of the City Council, that he had heard no complaints about Rotorua. “The Mayor is certainly not facing facts,” said Mr Barker. He also said the statement that 90 per cent of New Zealand’s overseas tourists came to Rotorua was “stupid and irresponsible” because the city did not have enough suitable hotel beds to cope with the claimed number of visitors.

Excluding day visitors, the claimed figure would mean an average of 1750 beds required each week, he said.