THE NEW TOWNSHIP OF ROTORUA

Lyttelton Times, Volume LVII, Issue 6511, 9 January 1882, Page 6

THE NEW TOWNSHIP OF ROTORUA

The Km' Zfaland Herald gives tho following description of tho (situation ami proposed works at what is aptly termed tho Great Sanatorium of tho world: All tho arrangements have now been concluded with respect to tho township at Ohinotn t tu, on tho margin of Lake Rotorua. Tho allotments will be sold in February next j orders have been given by tho Government to Air Mahonsy, orohitoct, for plans for tho erection of tho no. essary buildings; and shortly a book will appear forming a guide to tho district. The buildings to bo erected will consist of a grand Bath Pavilion, to bo supplied with water from four distinct springs, baring different properties, and supplied with cold fresh water j bath-sheds at' Sulphur Point and Omawhata; medical residence of 23 rooms j hospital, &o. A block of land on a suitable site is to bo devoted to a Spa .House or Grand Hotel, subject to conditions as to the nature and extent of buildings, and tho moans to be provided for securing the comfort end recreation of tourists as well as invalids. Tho block for tho Spa House will bo of about seven acres. The bath-house is to have twelve baths to begin with, three of which arc to have a separate entrance for females, an attendants’ room with waehing-machino and hot press, two waiting-rooms, &c. The town of Rotorua is situated between Sulphur Point and tho Pukeroa, and has been laid off into streets by Mr A. B. Morrow. The streets have received names connected with tho locality, as for instance tho following:—Eanolf street, Amobia street, Finton street, Hinemoa street, Whakane Street, and so on, Wo suppose this is (he comet th'ingj but we shudder to thick of the shapes "into which those poetic and flowing Motive names will be changed by future generations of pakehas, who know and care nothing of Domett or of Maori story or legend. The Pukeroa, just overhanging the Native town, is to be made a recreation reserve, and reserves are also to bo laid aside for a museum, library, and assembly rooms. Certain areas are also to ba leased in halfacre lots for villa sites, under covenant not to sub-divide or use for other purposes than residence. A site is also marked off for the erection of a Government school and college buildings, and other blocks as endowments for these institutions. The township contains an area of 600 acres, which we may mention is not much short of the area of the City of Auckland, which has 655 acres. But only about 125 acres have at present been subdivided for sale, the balance being retained for future extension. Each section contains about a quarter of an acre. The streets are a chain and a half wide (the width of Queen street at its widest part), except Fenton street, which ia two chains wide, and runs from the shore of the lake in a direct line for the great geyser of Whokarewarewa, an intermittent boiling fountain, which, when in action, throws up water to a height of forty feet, accompanied by clouds of white steam. Tho innumerable hot, sulphurous, and gaseous springs, and natural baths, have all been retained for the use of the public. The surface of the country is a plain, but with a gentle easy slope from the south-west to the shores of the lake, except in the Pukeroa Reserve, where it rises to an elevation of about 100 feet above the lake. It thus affords great facilities for drainage. The water of the lake on the northern front is drinkable, but on the eastern side is so strongly impregnated with sulphur as to be unfit for use. It is the intention to plant the Pukeroa Reserve, and lay out drives as a public park. From the highest point a fine view is obtained of the town site, the lake, the native village, with its innumerable hot and boiling springs, the island of Mokcia, so famous for its history, and the encircling range of forest-clad hills forming the basin of Rotorua. Immediately adjacent to the town-hip, a few five-acre and ten-acre sections have been laid out; whilst outside these a number of small farms, ranging from 40 acres to 60 acres, have been provided for, with a large reserve at Arkakapakapa, another centre of boiling springs, mud volcanoes, and sulphurous lakelets, much resorted to for their medical virtues. Higher up, cn the slope of the ranges, are some selections which, from the beauty of their situation and the charming views to be obtained across the plain and lake, will form delightful suburban residences. There is an abundance of timber in tho neighbourhood for building purposes. Tho proposed railway will add greatly to the value of the town lands. The lots will be be let in leases for 99 years ; rents payable half-yearly; all mineral waters, hot springs, and streams are vested in the Crown ; reserves for school*, post office, telegraph office, railway, hospital, and other public objects will be made, and shown on the map on the day of sale. There will be a resident medical officer appointed by the Government. Tho government of the town will be by a local body constituted under the Act. The hotels and lodginghouses will be governed by regulations suitable to the exceptional character and requirements of the town. The use of the waters and all similar arrangements, will be under tho control of a doctor and a local body. With all these natural beauties and wonders, with the luxurious baths, the gardens and the park-like expanses of the reserves, the forest-covered hille, the spreading lake with its sweet islet in the centre, and with the township under strict regulation, Rotorua should be for all the purposes of health, for beauty, and for all the amenities of situation, a unique city. The climate of the district is delightful, the air clear and bracing throughout tho year. Hill and plain, forest and open country, diversify tho surface, while a short ride brings the traveller in view of the volcano of Tonguriro and the snowy summits of Ruapehu.