MINERAL BATHS AT ROTORUA

Dominion, Volume 22, Issue 91, 11 January 1929, Page 8

MINERAL BATHS AT ROTORUA

“CONDITIONS GENERALLY APPALLING” J 1 Dominion Special Service. Auckland, January 10. An inspection of the various baths in Rotorua discloses that the conditions generally are appalling., In the pavilion bath house are situated some of the most valuable waters to lie found in the district. The famous radium and priest baths there are the only two radium baths now available for use, and they are both situated in the section used by women. There are four other springs of a similar character that are not in use, on account of the building being in such a rotten state that they have been nailed up to prevent anyone from falling through the floor. The radium water is valuable for the treatment of nervous affections, and is in great demand oii account of the bath being situated.in/the women’s department. Men can use it only between 3 and 4 p.m., when it is closed to women. .This hour is a most ihconvenient one, causing the loss of the whole afternoon. There , are at present only two priest baths in use, two others having been closed on account of the dangerous condition of the woodwork, which has fallen ' in. Cubicles at this bathhouse-are in a very rough state, and are not at all attractive to use, to say the least of them. „

There are also many private baths not used because of their condition. This applies to those in both the women’s and men’s portion. The main swimming bath known as the “Duchess,” is quite inadequate for the purpose, being now altogether too small. The inside of this building was last painted just prior to the visit of the Prince of Wales, and the condition is not by any means attractive. The position of the mud bath is the same. This most useful bath is obtained in the basement of the main bath building. under conditions that make a patient dread having to undergo treatment. The room is about 7ft. high, and gives one the impression of going into a dungeon.. One stoops instinctively to avoid the beams above.