ROTORUA BATHS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XLII, Issue 12817, 17 March 1905, Page 5

ROTORUA BATHS.

A VISITOR'S CRITICISMS.

EXPLANATION BY DR. WOHLMAXN.

[BY TELEGRAPH. —PRESS ASSOCIATION.]

Wellington, Thursday.

Recently in the Manawatu Daily Times Mr. J. H. Hankins, after a lengthy course of treatment at Rotoruaj referred to the management of the baths. He dealt chiefly with the Rachel baths, and the nature of his grievances were: insufficiency of water for baths, that water had to be mixed with the ordinary reservoir water for cooling; the high charges for baths and high fees for expert advice. In fact, said' Mr. Ilankins, Rotorua was more the rich roan's Mecca than the poor man's.

- The Minister in charge of the Tourist Department, Sir Joseph Ward, was interviewed by a l'ost reporter in reference to the above reflections on the management of Rotorua, and he communicated with the Dalneologist (Dr. Wohlmann) on the subject. In reply, he has received a telegram informing him that the Rachel water, which is veiy hot, has to be cooled at all times. Cooled Rachel water is used whenever possible, but the present system of allowing hot water to run in and cool itself immediately is inappropriate. The design was to obtain water »y gravitation only for both the baths and the cooling tanks. That did' well enough in the olden days, when visitors were not so numerous, but is not sufficient to cope with the immensely increased number of bathers. Under the proposed new bath establishment, which is to be on modem lines, and the plans of which have been approved, this difficulty will be got- over. To meet the present position, said Dr. Wohlmann, they are now experimenting with a scheme for filling the Rachel cooling tanks by pumping at night from a spring by using the machinery of the Aix bath, thus ensuring the use of pure mineral water only. Dr. Wohlmann also states that he is reorganising the system of douches throughout the baths, and will thus be able to save thousands of gallons of Rachel water. The inspector of works has commenced to carry out a scheme of altering the tanks at the Aix bath, which will completely prevent any waste of mineral water. Ah to charges for special baths, Dr. Wohlmann says they are low compared with other places, and scarcely cover the cost, In reference to the complaint of 10s 6d being charged for consulting him, Dr. Wohlmann says that the usual consulting fee elsewhere for a balneologist carrying out such work as he is doing is £2 2s.' If he is called upon to go to places outside the charge is £1 Is, including carriage hire.

Sir Joseph Ward himself' considers the consulting fee reasonable. He abided that lie had at times received representations to lower the fees and charges to beyond paying point, but that Mas unreasonable. As it is, lie has nc hesitation in saying they are greatly lower all round than would possibly he charged by any properly conducted concern in this or any other country. " Tho whole difficulty regarding the Rachel water will, I think," says Sir J. Ward, " be completely got over as Boon as the first wing of the new baths is completed."