MARUIA SPRINGS.

Press, Volume LXIII, Issue 19176, 6 December 1927, Page 11

MARUIA SPRINGS.

BEAUTY SPOT DAMAGED BY FLOODS. GOVERNMENT AID SOUGHT.

About eight miles off tho main road to Reef ton, on the West Coast, lie tho wonderful but little-known Maruia springs. The curativo properties of the water are said to bo remarkable. Moreover, as a scenic resort, tho spot is much more beautiful than any other thermal region in tho South Island. Recently disastrous floods have devnstatcd much of the area surrounding tho springs, and unless measures ore taken to repair this some of their natural beautv and accessibility may bo lost.

It is intended to petition Parliament for a grant to repair the damage, anil tho co-operation of all motorists and other South Islanders interested is asked for.

At their meeting last, night tho C.A.A. dealt with a letter from tho Inangahua County Council soliciting their support in any appeal made to tho Government for funds. Tho letter also suggested a conference of engineers o» the spot. , "It is somo ten years since I visited tho springs," said Mr 11. 0. Hnrlej\ "I was astonished to lind what hot springs thero were there." Ho had seen Rotorua and most of tho other hot springs ill Now Zealand, and theso comparod favourably with any of them. Tho springs were of value to nil tho South Island, and ho hoped tho Association would do all in its power to help to get the flood damage repaired. Mr F. W. Freeman said tho matter was one of great importnncc. The springs wore undoubtedly tho bost in tho South Island. A motion was passed to tho effocfc that tho Council should do nil in its power to support tho West Coast bodies in their appeal for Government nsslst' anee.