ROTORUA’S PLIGHT

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 85, Issue 301, 22 December 1941, Page 2

ROTORUA’S PLIGHT

LOSS OF VISITORS CANCELLATION AT HOTELS FEW MOTOR CAMP PATRONS. Rotorua. Dec. 19. An appeal to the Mayor of Auckland, Mr. J. A. C. Allum, to exert his influence to have the radius for rail travel extended to include the whole of the Auckland Province was made by the Rotorua Hotel and Boarding House Proprietors’ Association yesterday. Mr. Allum's reply received today did not favour the suggestion, and it was recommended that the Prime Minister, the Rt. Hon. P. Fraser, should be approached. The seriousness of the national situation was realised by all boarding house proprietors, stated the president of the association, Mr. F. Greenfield, but there was no other town in the Dominion which depended so much on the tourist and which at the same time was so isolated. The only large centre within 100 miles of Rotorua was Hamilton from which the thermal regions drew few’ visitors. Staffs Being Retained. Until a better idea is gained of the effect of the ban on travel, hotels and boarding houses have decided to retain their present staffs. Cancellations have been received by all hotels, but the full force of the new conditions has not been felt. It was stated that many people are waiting until the last minute before abandoning their holidays in the hope that the restrictions will he lifted. Others may not bother to cancel bookngs on the assumption that when their place of residence is found to he more than 100 miles away, the hotels will automatically’ revoke reservations. Hopes Dashed Overnight. Motor-camps have been affected more adversely than accommodation houses. The owner of one of the largest cottage camps in the district said that most bookings had been for weeks instead of days as in the past. However, since the week-end, all but a few intending visitors had cancelled their reservations. "The holiday season used to last from Labour week-end until Easter, but last year on account of the war business was brisk for only about a month from Christmas.” sAi the proprietor of another camp. "That was the period when we expected to make our harvest, but our prospects have been dashed to the ground overnight.”