A Growl About Rotorua.

South Canterbury Times, Issue 8425, 23 January 1896, Page 2

A Growl About Rotorua.

Mr Thomas Mackenzie at a meeting down south lately, said that he had paid several visits to the Thermal Springs districts, and from information he had obtained, and from his own observations there, he was impressed with the belief that the management of the valuable mineral waters could be greatly improved, and that the good which people so much required was not being obtained as it should be. The sanatorium was carried on at great cost to the colony, and the hospital was hardly used at all. Some of the best mineral waters were outside the grounds altogether. Patients going to the district, if they wished to obtain the fullest advantages, had practically to fossick for themselves. They should have one of the smartest doctors from some of the mineral water places in Europe, one who would take an enthusiastic interest in the work, and carefully study the effects of every bath on patients, so that persons suffering might depend on getting the very best treatment obtainable. While at Rotorua he had discovered certain dealings with the waters there, and the Government had promised to remedy the matter. Regular analysis of the waters should be made. I bis has not been done for years—in fact, had never been done at all on the spot, The character of the waters Ire*

quently changed, and when analysed at a distance decomposition might occur before tests were made, ide felt that the waters should be placed more within the reach of many sufferers in New Zealand than they were. The curative effects for many diseases were simply marvellous. He had witnessed it on persons suffering from rheumatism and sciatica, and almost every form of skin disease yielded to the proper treatment. For some time past he had endeavoured to arrange with the Government and the Union Fteam Ship Company a scale of Cheap fares for invalids wishing to obtain relief at these springs. At the present time two classes only could go —namely, those who could afford to spend £2O to £4O and those who, professing poverty, obtained free passes through the charitable aid board. There was still a large class, therefore, who Could not go, but to whom a trip would be of great benefit. They were the class who could afford and would be willing ta pay £5 for a return ticket—people who, to their honour be it said, were too proud to plead poverty, yet could not afford to pay the higher rate. The Union Company had met him in a very fair : way, but as yet the Government had not fallen in with his scheme. He would, however, persevere. He had great faith in the good likely to be done when the wonderful curative properties of the waters are more widely known ana the best results are obtainable. He believed that millions of people would come from all parts of the world to obtain the benefits that are to be obtained there.