THE GREAT SANATORIUM OF THE WORLD.

South Canterbury Times, Issue 2738, 30 December 1881, Page 3

THE GREAT SANATORIUM OF THE WORLD.

(•‘New Zealand Herald.”) All the arrangements have now been concluded with respect to the town at Ohinemutu, bn the margin of Lake Rotorua. The allotments will be sold in February next; orders have been given by the Government to Mr Mahoney, architect, for plans for the erection of, the necessary buildings; and shortly a book will appear forming a guide to the district. The buildings to be erected will consist of a grand Bath ..Pavilion, to K be supplied with water frpm .four distinct springs, having different properties, and supplied with cold fresh water; bath - sheds at Sulphur Point and Omawhata ; medical residence of 24 rooms ; &c. A block of lahd on a suitable site is to be devoted to a Spa House or Grand Hotel, subject to conditions as to the nature and extent of building, and the means to be provided for securing the comfort and recreation of tourists as well as invalids. The block for the Spa Hbuse will be of about seven acres. The bath-house is to have 12 baths' to begin with, three of which' are to have a seperate entrance for females, an attendants’ room with washing machine and hot press, two waiting rooms, &c. The township contains an area of 600 acres, which we may mention, is hot much short of the area of the City of Auckland, which has 655 acres. But only about 125 acres have at present been subdivided for sale, the balance being retained for future extension. Each section contains about a quarter of an acre. The streets are a chain and a half wide, and runs from the shore of the lake in a direct line for the great geyser of Whakarewarewa, an intermittent boiling fountain, which, when in action, throws up water to a height of forty feet, accompanied by clouds of white steam. The innumerable hot, sulphurous, and gaseous springs, and natural baths, have all been retained for the use of the public. It is the intention to plant the Pukeroa Reserve, and lay ont drives, as a public park. From the highest point a fine view is obtained of the town site, the lake, the native village, with its innumerable hot and boiling springs, the island of Mokoia, so famous for its history, and the encircling range of forest clad hills forming the basin of Rotorua, Immediately adjacent to the township, a few 5-acre and 10-acre sections have been laid out, whilst outside these, a number of small farms,.ranging from 40 to 60 acres have been provided for, with a large reserve atArikikapakapa,. another centre of boiling springs, mud volcanoes, and sulphurous lakelets, much resorted to for their 'medicinal virtues. The lots M ill be let in leases for 99 years ; rents payable half yearly; all mineral .waters, hot springs, and streams = are vested in the Crown ; reserves f»r schools, post office, telegraph office, railway, hospital, and other public objects will be,made, and shown on the •map-on the day of sale. There will be ' president medical officer appointed by ilie- Government. The government of

the town will be by a local body constituted tinder the Act. The hotels and lodging houses will bo governed by regulations suitable to the exceptional character and requirements of the town. The use of the waters, and all similar arrangements, will be under the control of aßoctotrand a local body.. - With all these natural beauties and wonders, with the luxurious baths, the gardens and the park-like expanses of the reserves, the forest covered hills, the spreading lake with its sweet islet in the centre, and with the township under strict regulation, Rotorua ought to be the nearest approac b 'we have in this world to Paradise. It should be for all the purposes of health, for beauty, and for all the amenities of situation, a unique city. The climate of the district is delightful, the air and bracing throughout the year. Hill and plain, forest and open country diversify the surface, while a short ride brings the traveller in view of the volcano, of Tongarirp and the ,snowy summits of Ruapehu.