The Nuhaka Springs.

Gisborne Times, Volume VII, Issue 382, 5 April 1902, Page 3

The Nuhaka Springs.

| Special to Times. |

Tne Hanmer Springs are well known’ those of Rotorua aro world-renowned’ but those of charming little Nuhaka are still, comparatively speaking, buried amidst their own loveliness. One of the most pleasant trips that can be imagined is a journey from Gisborne to Nuhaka, a

distance of 42 miles. If an early start be made the Springs may easily bo reached the same day. For the first fourteen miles the traveller bowls along a hard-metalled road, through a closely-settled district, to Murewai, where both man and beast may regale themselves while the murmur of the soais distinctly heard, and the quaint Maori huts are seen clustered round the carved meeting-house. Leaving Murewai, the hard-metalled road is left behind, and grass and clay take its place. This part of the way is hard and dry in summer, but becomes almost a bog in winter. For the most part, the road has been cut out of the face of the cliff, leaving a high wall on the one side, and a descent of hundreds of feet on the other. The gullies below are a striking example of the wild beauty of New Zealand scenery. There grow in glorious profusion, gigantic rata trees, honeysuckle, and matai, entwined with clinging vmes and gigi. At the very bottom of these small glens grow ferns of various kinds, from the common bracken to the large and stately silver fern with its bare brown trunk, and its broad drooping fronds; here and there aro seen clumps of tall and graceful nikau palms, with the peculiar fleshy growth on the trunk, and wide almost upright leaves. The road is serpentine in shape, and, ascending gradually for some miles, the traveller is glad when the summit is reached. The descent on the other side is a repetition of the ascent with regard to road scenery. In two hours’ tithe the hotel near the Springs is reached. The Springs themselves are situated about a mile away, in the midst of dense bush. A narrow track has been formed, along which the traveller saunters in silent wonder. The forest giants stretch their mighty arms overhead to form a leafy canopy, the ferns sprinkle dew on the intruder, the moki pipes forth his clear notes from above, the pellucid waters sing a sweet song of freedom as they gambol over rocks or fall headlong down tiny waterfalls. At a bend in the path the Springs are seen. They are, however, as yet in a very primitive state ; but a good dip may be enjoyed in wooden box-like baths. The water has a very strong, unpleasant odor, and a nasty, salty taste, but its curative proporties cannot be doubted. The accommodation at the hotel is very good, and is taxed to cope with the influx of visitors during the summer months. The Nuhaka springs have a great future before them, when the roads have been improved or a suitable landing place discovered on the coast. With their marvellous health - giving waters and lovely scenery they must rank among the first tourist resorts of New Zealand.