Page image
Page image

20

H.-2

Suggestions. 1. To put a drinking-fountain and summer-house over spring No. 15. 2. To put a new drinking-fountain in the Octagon. 3. To alter Bath No. 1 on the lines suggested in my report. At present this favourite bath is useless. 4. To repair "the tunnel," take a vertical ventilating-shaft from its extreme end, and then cautiously prospect for more hot water. Above all, to replace the ridiculously small pipe which carries the water to the baths by one of larger calibre, proteoted from cooling by packing and by diversion of the cold waterfall which now flows over it. 5. To erect a small vapour bath and inhalation-room over the vent from the tunnel. 6. The Cadman Baths: This building urgently needs slight repairs and a coat of paint, or it will speedily deteriorate. Full suggestions in regard to this bath are contained in my report. 7. Better arrangements and facilities are needed for treatment of skin-diseases, as explained in my report. 8. The erection of a large tank for cooled mineral water, on the lines suggested in my report. 9. Bath No. 3 could be made exceedingly useful on the lines laid down in my report. 10. The swimming-bath (cold fresh water) would be an additional attraction to the place, but I would suggest that money should be spent on items 1 to 8 before this work is taken in hand. 11. The alterations at the administrative block of buildings, while eminently desirable, seem to me less urgent than items 1 to 9, so far as the best interests of the spa are concerned. 12. The meteorological stations should be put in order. Hanmek. The baths at Hanmer Hot Springs are clean and well kept, and the whole bathing establishment has evidently been well looked after. While recognising the natural limitations imposed by a comparatively limited water-supply, I think a good deal more might be made of existing materials. It would, at present, be too expensive an undertaking, and indeed it is scarcely necessary, to make Hanmer so thoroughly well equipped as to cater largely for invalids from oversea ; but as there are a large number of people in the South Island who are unable to make the journey to Rotorua, it is necessary, while not attempting luxury of appointments, to fix up Hanmer ii a thoroughly workmanlike manner. The points to which I would draw attention, and the recommendations I would make, are as follows: — 1. The erection of vapour baths and inhalation-room: a suitable building-could be erected at a moderate cost. 2. The construction of Aix-massage baths behind the present tea-house. I gave rough plans for this scheme, which includes the removal and utilisation of the present building over the drink-ing-fountain, and I understand that so far as the building is concerned, matters are completed. The bath, however, was planned on the assumption of a new water-supply which could be utilised to drive the Pelton wheel and pump the mineral water for the douches. As the new water-supply is still under consideration, nothing further has been done in the matter of pumping plant. If the new water scheme is abandoned, I believe we could still work the hydraulic machinery with the existing low-pressure water-power, but this would necessitate a different-sized plant, and would in any case not be so effective. As soon as it has been definitely decided whether or no the watersupply scheme will be proceeded with, the plans for .the Aix-massage bath can be completed. 3. The erection of a summer-house of some pretty inexpensive design, enclosing a drinkingfountain, in place of the present structure. I have a design for a fountain which could be attached to the present pump if necessary, and I enclose a sketch of a suitable building. 4. The formation of a cold-water swimming-bath for use during the hot weather. ."). Better arrangements for the treatment of skin-diseases. At present special baths are reserved for such cases, but I would point out that the word " skin-disease " covers a great variety of cases, some of them infectious and some of them non-infectious. I would advise that a special bath be reserved for each of the two classes of cases; also special towels. To do this with any chance of success necessitates a fairly close medical supervision, and, unfortunately, the great bulk of bathers prefer to take a course of baths without medical advice. Even should they elect to consult a doctor, this is exceedingly difficult at Hanmer. I would point out, therefore, — 6. The advisability of the medical officer residing at Hanmer. 7. Dry massage, electrical treatment, and mechanical vibration would all prove exceedingly useful. I would emphasize the fact, however, that such forms of treatment should be protected from misuse by being given only under medical direction. It would be possible for the masseur and masseuse to alternate their work at the Aix-massage baths and the electric and dry-massage room ; for the present, half a daj' at each would meet all the probable requirements. 8. Among minor alterations at the baths there should be a double door, or some similar contrivance, at the entrance to the ladies' bathing-pool. 9. The present vapour bath should be made safer, as 1 pointed out on a previous occasion, by placing the stove entirely outside the bath. 10. Several reliable thermometers should be provided— e.g., from the stock now being specially prepared for the Department. 11. It would be well to have printed directions to bathers hung in each dressing-room, on lines similar to those at Rotorua. 12. The meteorological instruments should be renewed and regular observations taken. There should certainly be a sunshine-recorder. Hanmer owes its fame almost as much to its bracing climate as to its waters, and a climatological record is most essential.

Log in or create a Papers Past website account

Use your Papers Past website account to correct newspaper text.

By creating and using this account you agree to our terms of use.

Log in with RealMe®

If you’ve used a RealMe login somewhere else, you can use it here too. If you don’t already have a username and password, just click Log in and you can choose to create one.


Log in again to continue your work

Your session has expired.

Log in again with RealMe®


Alert