Thermal Springs.

Manawatu Herald, 29 August 1893, Page 3

Thermal Springs.

Rotorua,

The bathing accommodation has been increased by the addition of six dressing-rooms and a doucheroom, all on the gentlemen's side of the " Priest Bath " ; also some small improvements on the ladies side.

The total number of baths taken last year wns 17,838, being an increase of 317 upon the previous

year. It is reported that the Rotomahana lake is filling up very fast. It is now about 50 to 60 feet above its original level previous to the eruption of 1886. Mr Malfroy, in his report describes a miniature earthquake. "My residence is situated in a place where there is a good deal of broken hot ground. One eveninghaving watered the garden freely, I allowed the garden-hose to run all night. In the morning I found the whole of the water disappearing into a fissure, and I turned the water off without the slightest apprehension of danger. At noon, however, the household was alarmed with repeated thuds under the house. This thudding lasted for over two hours, when it gave an extra heavy thud, shaking the house, and then ceased altogether. We never experienced anything of the kind before or since, but we have been careful not to turn the garden-hose on at night. The theory is that the water found its way into hot ground below the house, and, being transformed into superheated steam, it caused the disturbances heretofore related, in its endeavour to find an escape. If such a small quantity of water produced the disturbance described in this case, what would be the result of a large quantity of water suddenly finding its way into the Tarawera Rift?— where there is a large area of hot gronnd, with places so hot that if a stick be thrust into the hot rubble it will burst into flames in a few seconds." Mr Malfroy points ont that there is but a narrow strip of land separating the lake fioni the lower end of the Tarawera Rift, and recommends its being carefully watched, and an overflow channel oat from Rotomahana into Tarawera lake,