MARUIA SPRINGS

Hokitika Guardian, 17 December 1927, Page 3

MARUIA SPRINGS

PHOT ECT lON XEC ESS AR V. Air )V. Alillner, AVcsthmd County Overseer, has supplied the following report to the County Office, legarding bis visit to Afaruia Springs. Reefton district:—. I returned to Hokitika on tbe 16tb inst. Air Higgins and myself journeyed to Reefton on tbe 14th, and at 6.30 o'clock tbe next morning, in company with Air C. Afori. of tbe Progress League, we left in Burley’s car travelling via Black’s Point and Crusbington. tbe road traversing tbe Innngnhwa River to its source in the .Palm Range, and crossing Halm Saddle, descends in to the Alaruia Valley, where tho small Springs accommodation House is situated 28 or 20 miles from Reefton. While waiting for breakfast we met Messrs ISaigent and Watson, Chairman and Overseer of tbe Aliirebimn County Council. At 8.30 We left Springs Junction, Air Higgins, Mr Alori. and niysolf having burses provided for the ten mile journey to the Springs which is a pleasure trip on a fine day. Air Maigent and the Overseer previously started for the same destination. Tbe first four miles the track passed through cleared grass paddocks, the beautiful bush, principally several species of beech, in all stages of growth, surrounding the clean grass land, lias a splendid appearance, being a succession of small parks surrounded l;y natural bush. From tbe river bank to the Springs portions of the more costly portions of track are not constructed, traffic being diverted to the river-lied which is smooth and easily accessible during fine weather. Several bad creeks require bridging anil cn the low fiats at the upper end all gravel lias lieen swept from tho track for chains l.v tho river overflow, hut the damage does not impede traffic to a great extent. At the Springs we met Mr Brett, County Engineer, and after viewing the river erosion at the baths, and Suspension bridge we consulted regarding the method of securing the baths from

erosion. The Piths are fairly commodious with n good supply of water which is Foiling hot, and has to -stand for some time In the concrete find enamelled baths, before being used. The river requires controlling above the baths and suspension bridge which is used to cross from the accommodation house cH two rooms to the north hank \\herc i the springs are situated at the foot of the mountain. A few feet above the liver level a tilled groin and rock facing are promised to (hock tuvther inroads, also the extension of the suspension bridge to the south hank. A report is to he circulated from the Inaiigahun Council to all AYest Coast Councils asking their support in tb? application for a grant of £6OO t 0 restore the baths and prevent further destruction to the springs. The road access will not be pressed for at present, hut £3OOO could he expended in that respect. At present temporary groin work Ls being proceeded with under the direction of Air Brett, and this should Is? fairly effective for a. short period. During the heavy Hood the enamel baths were floating about the hath house and the spring, outlet was silted up; but the cost of restoring does not appear to me to he prohibitive.