ROTORUA.

Hawera & Normanby Star, Volume LVII, Issue LVII, 14 May 1910, Page 6

ROTORUA.

REMARKS BY TOURIST MINISTER.

AUCKLAND, May 12. Some interesting remarks regarding the policy now being pursued by the Tourist Department in regard to Rotorua were made by the Hon. Thos. Mackenzie, Minister for Tourist Resorts, in replying to a deputation that waited upon him' at Rotorua in respect to the ' question of additional improvements and conveniences there. Mr Mackenzie stated he dosired to work with tho people of Rotorua in increasing the attractiveness of the district. ■ In regard to the question of charges at Whakarewarewa, they had reached" a period in the history of the Tourist Department when some; returns must be expected, especially when these returns were tg- be devoted to the purpose of beautifying the immediate vicinity. - ' Last year when the bath T house staff was reorganised great excep-, tion was taken to his retiring several employees. The results. had been satisfactory in that in this ono bath-house alone, there had been an economy of £800 a year, -U)gother with an- increasfcd revenue of £1000. Tho people of I Canterbury had 'complained by way of contrast to what had been done at Mt. Cook,- a. place which, in his opin-, ion, would in tho future, by "reason of its. unparalleled grandeur and because it possessed by far the best and most magnificent glaciers in" the temperate regions, attract as many sight-seers as Rotorua would do. Yet how did Mt. Cook fare at the present 'time? They had not even' a good supply of cold water, they had neither bowling greens nor tennis lawns, and .the present edifice was ill situated, uninviting and old. There was a magnificent site within a short distance that should be, when funds are available, used for a comfortable chateau, and when they linked' up the eastern and western system of roads on the Southern Alps a 1 great result will ensue. In reverting 1 =to. the 'question of expenditure at Rotorua?, Mr ' Mackenzie remarked .that- it was stringe if it be time as asserted that the' jGrQveriiment was unpopular at Rotorua when it was remembered that out of^lie^'earnings' arisingr f roiu the ba.th p'y reason>,of publio expenditure i: the ,'tqwi' was .relieved of .all ra tes' except f oV ,Vator an,d .lighting, 'and that tho 'rent' values ha^ increased .to 'the fortunate holders of i land there by an average df -800 per ceint, thisenabling,many people to 'now live comfortably on the. profits of their sections.