THE HOT LAKES CHRONICLE AND Tourists' Journal. WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 14, 1896.

Hot Lakes Chronicle, Volume 4, Issue 202, 14 October 1896, Page 2

THE HOT LAKES CHRONICLE AND Tourists' Journal. WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 14, 1896.

When -we read in the Public Works Statement that out of the £50,000 for the development of the thermal springs the most important work to bo provided for. in the opinion of the Premier, wan the drainaige of Rotorua we naturally concluded that a sum sufficient for that purpose would be set apart. The estimates subsequently submitted to tho House, aud of which we published a resume last week, bear no evidence of anything of the sort. A sum of £2,800 is set down for works at Potorua but this is quite inadequate for drainage purposes and is not much in excess of the usual vote for ordinary purposes of development allotted annually. No thorough system of drainage can bo instituted with such a sum, uud it

would have been better had the Go vernment acceded to the request made by the Town Board some weeks back, and placed nt its disposal the smaller sum of £IOOO asked for, io be utilised in effecting a more restricted system of surface drainage by means of open chaunols periodically flushed. It is ridiculous to assume that this sum of £2,800 will be sufficient to carry out nil the improvements heTe which the Premier has time and again reiterated were absolutely necessary for properly equipping what he regarded as " one of the most valuable assets of the Colony." When the sum of £2OO for water supply was placed on last year's estimates we pointed out that only a fifth of the amount required had been provided f r the reticulation of the streets on which sections had been leased on the tacit understanding that such would be done. This year a similar sum appears but the situation is even worse. We have not only these streets still uureticulated but it is more necessary than ever that the Postmaster Bath should be supplied with water. If an efficient night system is to be carried out it will also bo necessary to conduct a pipe to the depot. The sum voted is about sufficient for the latter purpose alone. The other items on the estimates comprise an additional £250 for the' construction of the wharf, and £250 for the carriage drive to the summit of Ngongotaha. These amounts will probably lie adequate for the purpose. Mr Allen in speaking of the estimates in the house doubtod if the whole of the improvements bore including drainage, bath accommodation and water supply could be done at a cost of only £7,700. If he had examined the figures a little more carefully he would have seen that ho had overstated the amount. The sum to be expended in that direction is only £2,300. TL.3 other items have nothing to do with either drainage, water supply or bath accommodation, but relate exclusively to road and bridge construction. It is no wonder, as a contemporary says, that " Hotorua is frankly disgusted at the result of the apportionment." It will thus be seen how little hoed is paid at headquarters to the suggestions of the Board which is nominated by the Government to look after the interests of the town. At every reasonable opportunity the Board has urged the paramount importance of the drainage question and has pointed out how a comparatively inexpensive yet efficient system might be introduced. At last regular meeting a resolution was passed in such terms as could scarcely fail to receive attention. It has practically beer, ignored and the estimate* supply a sufficient commentary as to the estimation in which the Bo ird's suggestions are held. We would remind members of the rider tacked on to the resolution relatin"- to the scheme of open channelling. It ran as follows : " The Board lespectfully submit that unless the sum is granted for the purpose named they must decline all responsibility in connection with the sanitary state of Rotorua for the current year." The Bum in question lias not been granted—neither has the alternative scheme promised been provided for. The only way the Board can relievo itself of the responsibility of the sickness which is bound to come with the approaching summer months is to resign in a body, and let Ministers bear the brunt themselves. We am afraid, however, that the trammels of officialdom will movent such a cour.se. [Before going to press we received from Mr W. Kelly a list •' * one amounts placed on the estimates for works in this electorate. The aggregate is over £;iS,OOO, and Mr Kelly hopes to have something more on the supplementary estimates. In the light of these figures it looks as if we had little to grumble about. Neither do we at the gross amount voted. Our principle objection is to the inadequacy of the sum set down for so important a work as the drainage of the town and the consequent unlikelihood of even a start being made with it this season. Mr Kelly hopes to be in Botorua in a week's time.].

MltW. Kelly asked in tlio House the other night whether the promised Bill dealing with the local government of Eotorua wonld be brought down this session ? He might state to the House that this measure was promised some few years ago. The district affected was in a Tery different position now. At present the inhabitant* of Rotorua had no say in localgoverrunent matters in that district. The Board was a nominated Board appointed by the Government, and, as the pripuhitioii nf this district was increasing rapidly, it was necessary that the inhabitants should have soms'say in these mutters. On arrival in Wellington this session he was told that the Government were preparing a Bill dealing with this matter. He was anxious to know when that measure was going to be brought down. Mi' J, McKenzie' said that with regard to this subject, a. draft Bill had been prepared at the lseginning of the session by the department in connection with this matter, but owing to the pressure of work they had not been able to bring it down. However, ho hoped to do this soon ; and, as the Bill would not b* likely to meet with objection, be thought it would be passed during the present session.

Oj: Wednesday lust the train from Auckland due at 7AO p.m. £"" until past 9 o'clock. r account of the breaking down, at 11 a.m near Dury of a coal waggon attached to a goods train. The liotorua train was consequently detained at Drury for upwards of an hour. No intimation of the occurrenco was SO' far as we arc aware sent to the stationmaster here and as usual alltiorts of rumours were current as. to the cause of delay. When circumstances of this sort arise a message sent along the line notifying that the train is travelling behind its usual time would allay much uneasiness.. It also emphasises the necessity for telephonic or other communication being established from station to station between hero and Oxford (Tirau).

Tenders for the carrying out of the night service close to-morrow. ■ One or two complaints have been made to us that the specification is not clear enough as to the precise work to be performed. This may or may not be the case, but it must be borne in mind that no member of the Board had any previous knowledge of the work which is required. The specification was, however, revised by Mr McArthur of the Ohinemuri County Council and as he had the necessary experience it ought to bo plain enough. In regard to the collection of the fees; wo understand that it will be the work of the Board to do so, as there is a margin between the prioe tendered at and the rate struck, in order to provido for other expenses. The night pans are to be provided by the contractor in the first instance and furnished by him to householders at a fraction above contract price. Householders will require to make up their minds to the fact that no sanitary system can be introduced without entailing some expense on them.