Wellington's Wonderland.

Manawatu Herald, 7 June 1894, Page 3

Wellington's Wonderland.

_ _ 4- — - T)r Newman in a letter to fche Post calls iitten'tion' to the hot springs in our own district : — Whilst the Auckland people have developed their Hot Springs district, srie^t large mouey upon getting access to them, ahcl have attracted to that province swarms of side people to be cured afc Rotorua, afc Waiwera, Te Aroha, ancl other places we in Wellington have altogether neglected our own. Yefc the hot springs at fche northern limit of this province are of immense value, and if property exploited Would attract crowds of the halt and the sick, and other crowds of healthy sightseers. Now, if a man or woman is ordered by a doctor to the hot springs, a journey long, tedious, and very costly is made to Rotorua. From Wellington to Rotorua takes on an average live or six days — there and back 10 to 12— a large slice oufc of a man's hardly-won sick leave. So long is fche journey, and so expensive, thafc many people are unable to get to the hot healing springs, and suffer much ill at home. I want to draw attention to an easier, cheaper method. The Hot Springs District reaches from Waiwera down to Tongariro. On fche northern slopes of fchis mountain are two groups of hot mineral powerful springs, Te Mari and Ketatahi. Among the Maoris these have long been famous. They declare Ketatahi is the mosfc poweiful healing wafcer in the island. Maoris failing to obfcain a core at Rotorua and Whakarcwarewa and Wairakei journeyed to Ketatahi, and where Rotorua failed this more powerful water often cured. So strong are the Maori in their belief in these waters thafc ifc was gathered in calabashes or kegs and carried by hand to far distant tribes. Close handy are the diverse mineral boiling springs of Tokaanu, just across the dividing provincial boundary line. Hitherto these springs were inaccessible to our invalids. I want to point out how much easier of access they are than Rotorua, Suppose, next summer, one of our siok residents is ordered fco the hot springs. I suggest he or she should visit Tokaanu. Starting by the morning train, the first nighfc would be spent afc Ohingaiti ; the next day's easy coach along a good level road would take him or her to fche middle of the Murimotu Plain ; and then a very short, easy day of travel in Peters' coach would allow the patient to bathe in the modern pools of Bethesda at Tokaanu. The route is easy and comfortable, and the accommodation good all along. If only Mr Seddon wonld lefc the Makohine Gorge contract, directly ifc were finished then the journey would be reduced to two days. A patient leaving Wellington this morning Would bathe to-morrow in Ketatahi or Tokaanu. See the gain, oufc of a very short; holiday — only two days there and two days back— in fact, only one clear day lost each way. See whafc a saving in fares and hotel bills. When the railway reaches fche head of the Hautapu the journey from Wellington fco the springs might be done in one long day's travelling. Nofc only fco fche siok is fchis a greafc matter, but to the entire Wellington community. If we had easier access to and accommodation at Ketatahi and adjacent springs, then a majority of invalids would prefer and adopfc fchis shorter and cheaper route.