PLANNING OF LAKE TEKAPO

Timaru Herald, Volume CXLVI, Issue 21324, 19 April 1939, Page 6

PLANNING OF LAKE TEKAPO

Proposals Put Before Minister

Health and Tourist Centre

Value of Treatment by Sun Rays

FAIRLIE, April 18.

Ambitious proposals for the establishment at Lake Tekapo of a national health and tourist centre W’ere placed before the acting-Minister of Lands, Hon. W< Lee Martin, at Tekapo this morning by Dr. L. S. Talbot, Messrs G. Murray and G. Hunter-Weston representing the Commission appointed by the Mackenzie County Council to draw up suggestions for the planning of Tekapo. The deputation sought the Mnister’s assistance in opening up land which has been included in the gazetted town planning area. Reference to the value of Tekapo as a health centre W'as made by Dr. Talbot, who suggested that it was an ideal spot for the setting up of an institution similar to the famous clinic of Dr. Rollier in Switzerland.

Tracing the steps that had been taken, Dr. Talbot said that the Director of Town Planning, Mr J. B. Mawson. had stated that he could easily design a town if told the number of houses in the area. If a settlement of 200 houses was wanted 75 to 100 acres would be required. The Commission considered that when the full value of Tekapo was known a much larger area than this would have to be set aside. The medical men of the Commission, continued Dr. Talbot, thought that an area should be set aside for an institution for the treatment and education of children afflicted with chronic diseases. He quoted from a book dealing with the Rollier Clinic in Switzerland and suggested that similar work could be done at Tekapo. Illustrations were presented of the value of sun treatment for cases of surgical tuberculosis and the results that were achieved at Dr. Rollier’s Clinic. Skilful Handling Needed “This -work is well-known all over the world,” said Dr. Talbot. “It requires skilful handling, but the results of helio-therapy are certainly marvellous. We do not want to wait until our children get into the condition of some of those shown in this book. ’We want to act in a preventive way.” The sunshine in alpine regions was of a peculiar quality. In the region of Tekapo the rays were excellent and were well adapted to the treatment of surgical T.B. and other diseases. “Day after day I see children in the wards of our hospitals whose natural resistance should be built up. Those are the children we want to help,” said Dr. Talbot.

The Commission had no money and was asking that an area be set aside for it to develop. It could hardly be expected that the Mackenzie County should provide facilities for the whole of New Zealand. The Lands Department was in a position to help, and the Commission did not consider it unreasonable to ask the Department for a grant. They did not want the position that had prevailed before where the land had been sub-divided and allowed to lay waste. The land should be opened up in such a way as to encourage building. Those -who did not intend to build should not be allowed to hold sections. “There should be no element of private speculation,” said Dr. Talbot. Mr D. C. Kidd, in reply to the Minister, said that the area under the Commission was Crown land leased year by year. Dr. Talbot said that if a grant were made the Commission would be faced with the cost of surveying. It would receive certain revenue from the sale of sites, but this would go into tree planting and other necessary services. There would be a time during which the Commission would be crippled through lack of funds. Collection of Rents “We suggest that rentals obtained from adjoining runs be used to finance our scheme,” continued Dr. Talbot. From runs around the area about £l2O a year is collected. With these rentals we could do a great deal. Mt. John Station should be brought in too. If w had that money we could construct tracks up Mt. John and stop people wandering all over the station. The Department may be faced -with reduced rents in the near future.”

The Minister: That is a policy matter. I cannot say anything about that.

Continuing. Dr. Talbot said the Commission would not require the rents for all time. If it could have them for a few years it would help considerably. The Health Department would probably help and the Public Works Department was being approached to give its assistance.

Mr Lee Martin said he was greatly interested in the scheme. He suggested that if the Commission could decide on what area it required he would go into the question. The scheme was somewhat nebulous from his point of view for until the Commission knew’ what area it required he could give little assistance. “I do not think you will find the Department placing any obstacles in your way however,” he added.

The deputation agreed to have the area inspected by the Director of Town Planning and the Commissioner of Crown Lands, and to submit the plans to the Minister who agreed to go into the question immediately he received definite particulars of area.