ROTORUA

Feilding Star, Volume XXVII, Issue 114, 9 December 1905, Page 4

ROTORUA

(Cornubia.) " Rotorua 13 calm," the great competition between the rival coaching and shipping companies haa come to an end, and the usual fares are again charged, but I find from the Government down to tbe Maori they stick to the one great principle " Watch and prey " (not pray). If you speak to tbe medical man in charge you are reminded that you have 10s 6d to pay, and are informed you are to report yourself in about a week's time, and have to shell out another 10s 6d. This might do for the bloated aristocracy, but for a poor working man it is a heavy tax. We hear a good deal about the cheap breakfast table, but something should be done for the poor rheumatic patients. Of course, some may ask "Why don't such go into the Sana torium ?" Just try and you will find it is full, and the Maoris, they do prey on you. A short time since a Maori girl was wheeling a baby in a pram. A lady remarked " What a pretty baby," when tbe girl eaid " Penny if you please." When the lady replied " I have no penny," the girl said "If you bave no penny wbat for you look at tbe baby." Tbis is typical of the Maori here. The visiting Maoris are ashamed of them. Some years ago, if you felt inclined, you could go and bave a mud bath on tbe grounds from tbe natural spring, now you have to consult the doctor at a cost of 10s 6d and hava it in the pavilion for which you bave to pay 2s. 4- gentleman who bas travelled tbe wide world over, informed me that on the Continent if you wanted an Aix massage you take it in tbe ordinary way, but here you have to pay 10s 6d for tbe premission of the medical officer and 2s 6d for tbe batb. But, I think tbe greatest mistake tbe Government is going to make is tbe building of the new baths at a cost of £20,000, and witb tbe machinery for pumping the general impression is it will cost £50,000 before it is complete, for all tbe water will bave to be pumped to tbe baths at an enormous cost, and my opinion is if you bathe in the natural spring you get tbe full benefit, but when it is pumped through pipes for a mile or more it is natural to suppose it loses some of its medicinal) qualities. Dr. Ginder's idea was to put sheds over the various springs, for if a man wiabes to be cured of any disease be does not mind tbe surroundings. When you tamper witb nature you cannot tell what will happen. If tbe same money was spent in a water supply, drainage and increased electric power, it would bave great attractions as a health resort, but tbe idea is to concentrate everything in the Sanatorium Grounds, it matters not what the disadvantages are to the sick and cripples. Dr. Gmders idea was to run a tramway to the various baths, and there are a good many baths on the beach which are spoken highly of, that ace not used at all, woe to you if you take advantage of them, for everything here is Pay Pay.