Our Tourist Resorts.

New Zealand Graphic, Volume XXXI, Issue XVI, 17 October 1903, Page 54

Our Tourist Resorts.

IMPROVEMENTS AT ROTORUA.

Mr T. K Donne, Superintendent of the Tourist Department, returned to Auckland on Ort. 7, having found reason to alter his programme. He has thoroughly inspected the tourist reMrts in the Hot Lakes and surrounding districts, ana a very material improvement is expected as the result of his visit. Mr Donne’s views upon Waimangu have been fully referred to in these columns previously, and one need not repeat anything more than the general remark that he does not consider there is any valid reason for the alarmist views put forward by the ’Bay of Plenty Times.” He admits—and Dr. Wohlman concurs —that the data available is not enough to justify a definite opinion, and to meet this gauge-posts have been set In Rotomahana to record the rise or fall of the water. In any ease, it would be an inexpensive and apparently easy matter to connect the two lakes, as there i- but a narrow isthmus of 30 chains width and 15 feet height. Mr Donne visited Kawltia. Waitomo Caves, Te Arohn, Okoroire, Rotorua, Waimangu. Galatea. and other places of scenic and utilitarian interest.

“We have begun to fence Waimangu,” he told an interviewer from the “Auckland Star.” "I am enclosing one of the hot pools to be used in conjunction with toe accommodation house. We are also utilising one of the huge craters to make a cold water bath. That will be one of the most unique baths in the world. I think—not every man can take his morning dip in the crater of an extinct volcano!” Just as Waimangu was being discussed a telegram came in. “Look at that,” said Mr Donne, laying open the message. It read: “Waimangu House packed." Now, the house was only opened on Oct. 4, and this at once shows how great a boon the Government has conferred by starting it. It accommodates 14 people, and may have to be enlarged. "What did you do at Te Arolia?”

“Dr. Wohhnann, Dr. Kenny and I inspected the place, along with the head gardener from Rotorua (Mr. Pearson), and we went into the scheme for the improvement of the gardens and the Domain, and the extension of the baths. The work of carrying out the details will be put in hand at once.”

‘ Anything at Rotorua?” ‘’Nothing very new. You may say, however. that in the matter of the museum I purpose patting up, on a site to be selected. a Maori carved house belonging to myself, and I intend to place in it my own collection of Maori implements, ornaments and clothing. I don’t intend to ask the Government to supplement it in any way—it will be my own private museum.

“I wish you would also mention rather an interesting cure which has been effected at the Aix massage baths at Rotorua. This is the case of Mr. Frank Preston, whe hr.d his neck dislocated, and who lost the use of his right arm in consequence. He was treated at hospitals without avail, and finally sent to the massage baths at Rotorua for treatment. A week sufficed, and he is now, much to his surprise and elation, a completelycured man. Ihe case was so uuusual that Dr. Wohlmann took a plaster cast of his dislocated neck for record. Then I tnyself had a spill from my horse on the way to Kawhia. He went through a rotten culvert, and rolled over on me. and I got my knee severely sprained. Tire Aix massage bath treatment fixed me up very quickly.”