To Rotorua and Back.

Alexandra Herald and Central Otago Gazette, Issue 422, 19 May 1904, Page 5

To Rotorua and Back.

BY

(Continued).

IA couple of bars of soap were cut up in small pieces, the lid removed from the mouth of the G-yeer and the soap thrown fu. In a few moments the water boiled over the mouth with a heavy foam on its surface, then receded back into the cauldron; Then it spurted up in a spasmodic manner, throwing out water and soap-suds a few feet high, now retreating, and again spouting, as if the elements below were in an angry mood. Then with a hiss and a roar at the mouth of the cavern, as if the monster was putting forth all its strength for one final effort, a large volume of boiling water ascended heavenward in one unbroken column, for a distance of over 60 feet. Onlookers near the edge, fled for their lives to a place of safety. Hardly a word was said until the force of water was spent, which was in about three minutes, then could be heard the hard breathing, and sigh of thankfulness, that escaped from those in the near vicinity at the termination of such an awe-inspiring Bight. As the mouth of this geyser does not exceed 4 or 8 feet aorose, and can throw the water to a distance of ever 168 feet, whet then can bo the effect en shoes who witness Waimangtt geyser, whose surface comprises an area of about three?, quarters ef an acre, and sends a volume of water 1190 feet high. Verily it is a sight that will never bo for* gotten,

As most of the sight* seen on this field are to be seen at Tikifciri, there is no ocoasion to write or dilate on it, save for acme" remarkable features. A creek with a large body of water runs along Whaka, and in places you can with one hand, feel the two extremes, that is to say, with the little finger in the running cold water, and the forefinger or thumb in a crevice along-side in boiling water, tfuder the stream in one place, and just below a geyser, one can hear and see on a small scale, a torpedo. This is caused by the hot mnd coming in contact with the cold water in the creek, and as the mud ascends, it bursts with a fairly loud roar. Visitors should not fail to see the Maori carved house, which if one of the special features of the district, Most of the figures are very grotesquely carved, while others are fairly good representations of the Maoris. Maggie, the native guide, shows the visitors tbrcugh the house, and acquaints them with the traditional lore attached to each. This is very interesting, and is well told by the guide, who is an accomplished and also good looking Maori woman. The innumerable crevices that abound in this field, spouting oat eft" in small quantities, leave a erust of suln phur, and woe to the unwary who puts ( hie or her finger down to piek a piece of it: the hand will be withdrawn In a most expeditious manner, as the steam is no respeotor of persons. On I the bridge that crosses the creek, one can gaze on the Maori children diving ; for coppers. They seem to be as much at home in that element, as on dry: land. At Ohinsmutu, the old town of Botorua, and at which is another Maori settlement, Whaka, and TikitirL the entire absence of chimneys is noted. Not a whare has these adjuncts to the building, as all the cooking is done out of doors, steam vents and hot water pools forming the only method of cooking the meals. The natives here are truly children ot Nature. The Gov* eminent has a Tourist Enquiry Agent at Botorua, a very courteous individual, and one that is in a position to give visitors and tourists all the information that is necessary f©r an.enloyab'e period at the different places of interest, and from the advice received from him, if followedb«V; the 'visitor or tourist will see more than if he wtat on his own.

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