LOCAL IMPROVEMENTS.

Hot Lakes Chronicle, Volume 4, Issue 175, 8 April 1896, Page 2

LOCAL IMPROVEMENTS.

To THE Editou. Sin, —In a recent issue appeared two letters from visitors to Kotorua suggesting improvements more or less urgently required, urging lavish Government expenditure, and invidiously comparing the implied parsimony of our Government with the probable profuse liberality of that of New South Wales, were "wonderland " situated in its territory. Perhaps Mr Franklin will see the absurdity of his comparison when he recollects the vast difference in the revenue controlled by the respective Governments ; and may he it will not hurt Mr McFadyen to bo reminded of the old saw, " Bomb was not built in a day." With much of Mr Franklin's letter, however, every observant visitor here must be in accord, although, probably, no Now Zealander would at present advocate the largo expenditure which would be involved by the acceptance in its entirety of that gentleman's suggested scheme. (Without doubt the judicious outlay of half-a-mil-lion of money in this locality would result in a handsome return to the coders of the State at no distant period ; but the man who, from his place in Parliament, ft'OUld seriously propose such an outlay at present would simply be smiled down as a lunatic, without an opportunity being given him to dilate upon the wondrous views which might be obtained from the summit of an artificial mound, or mountain. The attractions of Kotorua as a resort for tourists and invalids might however, be quadrupled by the wise expenditure of a sum by comparison trivial, and this expenditure is absolutely imperative if the place is to retain its popularity as a health and pleasure resort. I quite agree with Mr Franklin that " this matter should be impressed on the authorities with ever-increasing force," for, to judge by the annual Parliamentary vote, they have not yet fairly grasped the situation. True, it is Parliament which cuts the estimates ; but the sums for works, as originally set down, have never yet. been anything like adequate to the needs. AH the Government grants expended in this district during the past dozen years do not amount, I understand, to more than thirty thousand pounds, a third of which was absorbed by the old and new Hospital buildings, and seven thousand by the town water supply. None who know anything of what Rotorua was, say ten years since, but will concede that the remainder has been carefully and advantageously expended, spite of the fact that present wants are crying, and I was glad to note Mr Franklin's acknowledgement of the evidences of "careful administration "in the past. My object in craving a small portion of your space is neither to see myself in print, nor to advocate an outlay far beyond the Colony's present means, but to add testimony to the utter inadequacy of bathing accommodation, appliances, and arrangements generally. No need for minute details here ; every invalid, and, indeed, every individual who has had occasion to use the baths can supply them. Mr Franklin lias very ably indicated many requirements, and a complete list would absorb more space than you would accord me. One thing, however, I must add, and that is that the bathing of invalids must bo carried on under a very different system to that prevailing at present if they are to derive anything like the benefit the public believe derive-* able from the baths here. Hoping that the authorities will note the various suggestion made, and that before next season radical alterations and improvements may be effected. —I am, &c. New Zeaiasdeb. Kotorua, March 13, 1896.