Rotorua.

Manawatu Herald, Volume III, Issue III, 12 February 1891, Page 2

Rotorua.

_* We think the public will be glad that the Government have published particulars of the Thermal- Springs district as an appendix to the statistics of New Zealand. Actually what the Springs are considered to be advantageous for, has not till now been authoritatively stated ; but the author of the report, Dr Ginders, the resident medical superintendent, now makes definite assertions. In a few years time, Rotorua will be not only the resort of invalids, but will be visited by those interested in the many curiosities there to be viewed. Ten years ago, the site of the sanatorium was a howling wilderness, and invalids seeking restoration to health, had todig out thei own bath,r or employ someone to do so. As a reminiscence, certain baths have still the old originators name attached to them, in Cameron's, McHugh's, Mackenzie's, and the Priest's bath. Now a change indeed has been effected, walks and drives ai"e formed, alongside which are planted evergreen trees. Flower gardens are laid out, and fountains play. A hospital, capable of accommodating 12 males and 9 females is built, a medical residence has baen erected, and the baths covered in. There are three comfortable hotels within a mile of the sanatorium, which have baths supplied from thermal springs. There are five classes of springs, the uses of which, we understand, will be fully explained by the resident medical man. In 1889, 1700 tourists and invalids passed through Rotorua, and 10,486 baths were taken. The Priest's bath has. obtained the highest reputation, and proved itself the most generally useful. The character of the water is sulphurous, aluminous, and strongly acid. Its temperature varies from 98 degrees to 106 degrees. A patient emerging from this bath is said to resemble a boiled lobster. The bath-house is 74 feet long by 44 feet wide, and is divided into male and female departments. . . [ The Rachel bath adjoins the Priest's, this is also divided for the two sexes. The solid constituents of the water consist ot chlorides and carbonate of soda, silicates of soda lime and magnesia, oxides of iron and aluminium, and silica. It is said that " the delicious sense of bian-etre produced by bathing in this water, with the soft satiny feeling it communicates to the skin, must be felt to be appreciated." The Blue bath is a warm swimming bath, 62 feet long by 24 feet wide, and ranges from* 8 feet to 4 feet 6 inches in depth, and is used by rheumatic invalids to take exercise without undue fatigue. Rotorua is situated on the southern shore of the lake of the same name, and lies at an elevation of 990 feet above the sea level. The climate is claimed to be mild, equable, and agreeable. It is very rightly remarked that all the curative effects of mineral waters cannot be enumerated, but rheumatism, skin diseases, and neuralgia have been most successfully cured. In a little time this spot will be reached by rail, but at present some coaching is necessary, ns the railway from Auckland stops at Oxford. Some good advice to visitors is a'so tendered by Dr Ginders, and that is, " patients should be recommended to bring plain warm clothing, and substantial boots and shoe*, Jewellery and

valuable watches had better be left at lidmP, as they are not improved by the vapours that hang about the baths." February, March and April are the most agreeable months for an invalid to visit the district.