The Star. SATURDAY, AUGUST 27, 1904. HANMER.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 8100, 27 August 1904, Page 4

The Star. SATURDAY, AUGUST 27, 1904. HANMER.

In his annual report, embodied in that of the Tourist Department, the Govern- , Jnent . Balneologisb supports the requests made by this and other journals for fur- , ther improvements afc Hanmer Springs. , While recognising the natural limitations imposed on the Springs as a health .resort, Dr Woalmajm considera that * great deal more might be made i of the existing material. He thinks it " scarcely necessary to make Hanmer so thoroughly equipped as to cater largely for invalids from over sea." But he adds, "As there are a large number of people in the South Island who are unable to ( make the journey to Roto'rua, ib is neces- , _ary, while not attempting luxury of ap- _ pointments, to fix up Hanmer in_. a ( thoroughly workmanlike manner." This . expresses exactly the views held by the people of Canterbury. For obvious ' reasons, they have never contended that . Hanmer should endeavour to compete with Rotorua. They recognise its limitations as well as its advantages, and they realise that the former must, of necessity, prevent ib frdm bsing developed into a place of JatL traction for tlie f oregn tourist in large numbers.. But the recognition of this fact : does not prevent them- from seeing thafc . Hanmer might be made a great deal more useful and attractive than is the case at the present time. Dr Wohlmann points out a number of directions in which improvements might be effected. To ' the credit of tie newspapers of the pro- > vince it may be said that his recommendations are mostly reproductions of suggestions which from time to time have.appeared in their columns. It will be noticed, however, that he does not agree with them as to the need for a drainage system. » " I think," he says, "a •system of drainage wholly unnecessary -at present, if thorough supervision is main- . tamed over the existing sanitary arrangements." But as hs points oufc that some of the methods employed at present are unsatisfactory, we are left hoping thafc fche existing system will nob be allowed to rs- - main in its present stete. In almost every ether respecfc Dr Wohlmann is in agree- • jnent with the lay views expressed in fa- I ' your of popularising tiie Springs. He recommends additional living and bathing accommodations, the formation of fresh vapour baths and a cold swimming bath, the erection of a summer-house, the establishment of a high-pressure water supply, and a, series of minor improvements, all designed to increase the popularity of the L Springs as a holiday resort, as well as to L enlarge their health-giving properties.x Last, ibut by no means least, he advises that)a medical oflicer should be stationed permanently at the Sanatorium. It is to be hoped that the Government will see its' way to give his suggestions the considera>tion which they deserve. To be just and 1 iair to Ha-inter, from this tinne f onvard it , ought to lavish 'oil it regular and systematic *'_ti+_anf.ifVTl.