TAUPO.

Evening Star, Volume VIII, Issue 2238, 9 July 1870, Page 2

TAUPO.

As doubtless many of our readers are personally unacquainted with the lands of the North, a description of the Taupo district, which possesses of the finest chmates in the known world, may prove of interest. The following account of this beautiful country is given in the Haickcs Bay Ilera>d of the 17th June, from the fact of its having become permanently settled by our forces, and from its having been the principal scene of operations during the past summer, has drawn of late a more than usual amount of attention. The permanent settlement or occupation of that district by us being generally acknowledged to be the inert important movement that has taken place of late years towards the final settlement of the troubles of this island, a short description of the character of the lake and the surrounding country may not be inopportune at the present time. The Taupo Lake, whicli may be considered, for all practical purposes, the centre of this island, and from whence roads to a 1 parts of the country radiate, is irregular in its outline, about thirty miles long ami twenty-five wide at its broadest part, and situated at an elevation of 1300 feet above the level of the sea. At the north and south ends of the lake are many hot springs a id soPataras, those at the upper or south end being, perhaps, most worthy of attention. Krom the medicinal properties of these waters, and the picturesque nature of the surrounding country, there can be little doubt but that this locality will bscomo, ere long, the resort of invalids and pleasureseekers from all parts of the colony. ’ About twelve miles above Tokauu, or tlie upper end of the lake, at the base of Tongarirp, is another lake. Rotoaira, perhaps one of the most romantic spots, without exception, in the island. To tho south of Rotoaira stand the snow-capped Tongariro and Ruapehu mountains. From tho latter the Waikato river takes its rise, and after running some thirty oi forty miles at tho. base of the Kaimanawa ranges, empties itself into the Taupo lake, near Tokauu, and flows ont again at tho north end at Tapuaeharurn. The district to tho south end of the lake, from Tokauu to Rotoaira, and to the west of the Pihanaga and Tongairiro mountains as far as the Ifahqkura plains, contains some good land, which; sooner or later, will becbtne available for pastoral and other purposes; and further to the south are the Patoa and K’arioi Plains. The country to tho west of the lake is somewhat hilly, but contains a large extent of good land, stretching to the upper waters of the Mokau and Waipa rivers. To the oast and north of the late, known as Kaingaroa Plains, tho country consists of plateaus of various kinds of pumice-stone of different elevations, dotted herd and there with bush.

Great strides have been made during the past few months towards opening np this important part of tho country by'means of roads and telegraphs, and, placing ourselves on a more friendly’footing with the inland tribes. At tbe meeting lately lyld at PoihipiV pah, Tapuaehaniru, whi hj through the inclemency of tho weather was not so large as otherwise wou.d have been tho case, but nevertheless was attended by representatives from all the surrounding a great desire was expressed to proceed wtth the roads qub other improvements; and at the conclusion of the meeting a block of land for a township at Tapuaeharuru, in thtf neighborhood of the hot springs, the site ohosen by Sir G. Grey for the location of a regiment of Imperial troop;., and now the central telegraph station was offered to, and accepted by the Government, and which, no doubt, will in due course be laid out and oflered to the public.