DR. WOHLMANNS REPORT.

Poverty Bay Herald, Volume XXXI, Issue 10140, 29 August 1904, Page 4

DR. WOHLMANNS REPORT.

SUGGESTED IMPROVEMENTS.

Dr. Wohlmann, the Government balneologist, m his report on the 'tourist resorts of the colony, repeats his advice of last year that the cliief aim should be to make one first-class spa. He adds : "I think that we should gradually improve Te Aroha and Hanmer until they have at least all the bathing facilities which Rolorua now enjoys, and concentrate our main efforts on making Rotorua absolutely first-class." Pointing to the fact that so much revenue has been earned by the present baths, handicapped as they are by all the disadvantages of draughty buildings and primitive arrangements, is a fair indication of what could' be earned With new "baths, clean and inviting, and fitted! with .ill the most up-to-date accessories. There .is stilj, says Dr. Wohlmann, a great want of hydropathic provision at Rotorua. ibr real invalids, and he urges that it would well reoay the Government to provide eovered-in bath chairs to allow invalids to go to the batlis m wet weather. He has, he says, prepared a guide book to the use of the waters at Rotorua, which is now iv the printer's hands, and he hopes to have similar books dealing with Hanmer and Te Aroha ready shortly. Bewailing the lack of amusements at Rotorua, Dr. Wohlmann suggests the provision of a good professional band and 1 of zoological gardens representative of the animals of New Zealand and Australia. He acknowledges the services of the local bands, but thinks more music is required', and adds : "The museum of Maori art as proposed by the superintendent of the Departnieni, would also help to fill' a great want, and I -would suggest* that it might be supplemented by stuffed specimens of the New Zealand birds arranged m seprate cases with their nests, eggs, etc., instead of being crowded promiscuously together ; also mounted specimens of the plants, timber and l minerals of New Zealand might gradually be added. A fullsized war canoe, fitted with raupo sails and paddles, and good specimens of small dug-out canoes, "would form a very attractive feature, and the former could be manned! by our own Maori employees and compete m annual races on the lake. Golf links might be laid out on Government land, and would be much appreciated by a very Large number of visitors." Dr. Wohlmann then refers to the dilapiated condition of the spout oaths at Whakarewarewa, and adlvises that ihej should be rebuilt on a modest scale if necessary and a charge made for their use. Persons unable to afford payment could still get a free ticket as at Rotorua. "What we are attempting to do on a small scale," ho says, "Switzerland has done m a large way, and the results there obtained must have a special interest for us. It has been computed by Herr Freuler, of Zurich, tliat 380,000 people visit Switzerland annually. In an average season they spend on railway and steamboat fares £675,000, and "m board) and lodging £5,800,000. The estimated' capital investment is £22,000,000, and the average clear profit £2,475,000, or over 11 per cent. Owing to our isolated position we cannot hope to rival these huge figures, but from the some reason the average