ON THE EAST COAST.

Gisborne Times, Volume VII, Issue 415, 15 May 1902, Page 3

ON THE EAST COAST.

WAIPIRO HOT SPRINGS..

(By Our Special Correspondent)

Apart from the Gordon and Wheeler Springs which were described fully in our issue of last Thursday, there are a number of smaller springs. Chief of these is the Surveyor’s Bath formed by the water being dammed in a great hollow. The water from this spring is very hot and the natives often use it for cooking their meat and potatoes. There is also the Haka Haka Bath which is most popular with nativ ss. The use of this bath for a period of three days is regarded by the natives as a certain cure for many ailments. Tiie flow from this spring is over 1000, gallons per hour. From twenty to thirty other springs were inspected, all of which with a little expenditure could be turned into large and commodious baths. It is- apparent to- the most uninterested visitor to Waipiro that there is a great quantity of water running to waste, and in estimating the- amount at 50,000 gallons per hour, I do not think I am overstepping the mark. What one would like to see done is that the Government should construct a large swimming bath and also provide adequate buildings for the springs already mentioned, the medicinal properties of which are said to be superior to those of any other health resort in the colony, Rotorua included. V A feature of the Waipiro Hot Springs is the great quantity of natural gas which exists on the surface of the ground. Go where you will round the hills you find gas oozing from the ground and a match thrown into any of the numerous crevices will give a blaze sufficient to boil a billy by. About half a mile from the accommodation house we came across an open space on the fern hills, where the gas seemed to be even more plentiful than elsewhere.... Here we marked our initials on the ground and throwing a match on them we had the pleasure of seeing our names in letters of fire. At the corner of each letter we stuck sticks into the ground and a flame of fire shot up from each hole to the height of a foot or so and the illuminations continued until we left the .place. Hitherto the gas has been made no use of whatever, but Mr Gordon informed me that it was his intention to have the house lighted with it. it certainly does seem a shame that" th a natural asset should be allowed to go to waste in the manner it is doing. The accommodation at the springs at present consists of ten rooms, which is quite inadequate during the summer months. Mr Gordon was erecting another building at the time of my visit and both he and his good wife are doing their utmost to cater for the wants of the travelling public. We cannot pass from this subject without referring to the treatment that Waipiro Springs have received at the hands of the Government. It affords another example of the neglect of the East Coast and the broken promises of its member. For two or three years past there has been a sum placed on the estimates for the improvement of the Waipiro Springs, but each year sees no effort made by the Government to expend that money. In his speech receotly delivered at Tokomaru Mr Carroll stated that at-

tention was being given to the Te Puia Springs which were being taken from the Lands Department and being placed under the Tourists Department, which means, to quote the Honorable gentleman’s own tvords “That the Springs will receive special attention instead of being as heretofore a minor item in the in the programme of the Lands and Survey Department.” It might not be out of place to give a few more of Mr Carroll’s remarks :“ I saw Mr Dunn, the head of the Tourist Department before I left Wellington, he told

me that he was devoting special attention towards Waipiro. Mr Dunn re-

gretted that the bad weather had prevented him coming from Gisborne but he would nevertheless do everything in his power to move it along, even although he could not personally attend to it. His intention is to do extensive tree plant ing-this year and tackle more substantial works as soon as the winter is over. This is only 'reasonable considering that we'are now well into the summer season and he could not. do very much more than tree planting. Mr Dunn intends to get from the State Nurserv at Rotorua all the shrubs trees and plants of the very best description and suitable to this part 01 the country (Applause). When one looks at the bare surface of that place (referring to Waipiro) and its surroundings we can easily appreciate the movement in the direction indicated (a voice, “that is so.” I think myself that with a little expenditure we could make a charming place of Waipiro and make it eminently attractive to visitors (applause). It. is not too much to hope for, and I be lieve that we should have a large influx ol visitors to Waipiro each sVason. At any rate, the Government will give every assistance. (Applause) Another thing I think the Government: i should do at once is to erect up-to-i date baths there, and establish a hos- ■ pital. Ifc need, not be a very large and extensive order of buildings. *

am certain that no work could be of greater importance to the district than the building of a hospital at Te Puia Springs.” The foregoing is Mr Carroll's opinion, and I endorse every word of it. If the hon. gentleman wishes to retain the confidence and good wishes of his constituents of the East Coast he should see that no stane is left unturned to put his preposals 'into a practical form, and if he could do it before the next election it would certainly be the better for nil concerned. I do not think f need siy any more other than recommend any residents of Gisborne who have noo previously visited-the Waipiro Springs to do so at the first opportunity and I can assure them they will not be disappointed.