A Cycling Trip to the Hot Lakes.

Manawatu Herald, 28 December 1897, Page 2

A Cycling Trip to the Hot Lakes.

» * THE WONDERLAND OP THE WORLD. (Continued.) THE WATKATO BITSR. The journey to Auckland from Botorua through the Wiikato country, 171 miles, was made by train. The journey was not very interesting ttf er all the scenes we had witnessed the few dayß immediately precedingOne point of interest was the fact that the railway at one point, about 8 miles from Rotoruu, is the highest io the oolony over which the line is built. The height is 1888 feet above the level of the sea. Another in* terestmg item was the Waikato River. This river is perhaps the most noble in the colony. It takes inn rise near the Buapehu Mountain. We beheld it in that locality an insignificant creek, but by following it right throughout its travels it would justify the praise that has been awarded it. The water the whole of the distance is of a beautiful clearness. It serums to differ fr>m most of the New Zealand rivers in that respect, even when in fliod its keep=i its clearness. The oreek at the mountains gradually gathers in force until it becomes a large river as it enters lake Taupo at the south end. It is supposed to have a current the whole length of the lake, some thirty miles. The Maoris have a story that the waters do not intermingle but that laokg, confirmation. The outlet at the< north end of the lake SO miles from the inflow is somewhat alike. The river travels from thence' a distance of something bordering on the region of a couple of hundred mile*. while the sights along its course are grand. Take one for instance, the famous Huka Falls. They are Bituated some four milM from (he township of

Taupo. The river above the tails flows slowly along between low, lyirijj banks. These id turn immediately preceding the fall, for say about four chains close in to two walls of rock of cay a half chain in width and * perhaps fifteen feet in height. Directly the water enters the narrow \ channel the down, gride is reachedf \ The Water is troubled in an instant . and becomes a mass of seething^' waves who tumble over and. over in the greatest confusion possible, and lash themselves until they become of a milky white hue. After traversing this ordeal for the distance mentittqea above the Crater then takes a sudden and direct plunge of thirty ieet into a spacious cauldron. The water as it glides over the brink of the fall arches gracefully, and is of a delioate bluish tint whether the colour of the water dn the, rocks over which it glides we could hoi; agree. Tn>re was not however two opinions about its beauty. There were ample facilities for viewing this scene. The channel of rooks immediately above the fall have been oonneeted by means of a suspension bridge where the tourist may enjoy the Men* to his heart's content. The best view of all was obtained from the (bad about 400 yards distance from the fall. The road traverses a hill and i 3 about a couple of hundred feet above the level of the ri9er, therefore the fall, rapids and sarronnSibgf, may be included in the one view. — It was with great reluctance that we left this place but the fact that 4he now famous Wairakei valley war the next on the list was the only thing that urged us on. The Huta Falls ia not the only attraction of the Waikato River. The Araieafceft rapids are said to surpass even the Huka Falls, while the eights including rapids at Ateamuri, some tfiirty miles from Taupo, are sot to be sneezed at. The Waikato is navigable for a great distance for small steamers. One of the chief inland ports or towns is Meroer which; was viewed by us when travelling *by train to Auckland. The river -at this township (Mercer) seemed "folly two hundred yards wide and it was with difficulty that we recognised the fact that it was the same' river that three days before we could have jumped across had we so desired. . CAKX TAUtO. The great inland lake Ta.uDp Moano must not go unmentionsfj,si fact it would seem like having brea^ s and butter without the butter wens - the lake passed by without a pa,silgg thought. The lake is situate^jas near the centre of the North <^JM§ as can be. It fills a basiu ovftr ftp miles long by 20 broad. .Wijln viewing the lake from the road wa> runs round the cliffs the impression is given that what is now a hugi basin of water was at one time a mass of living fire, or rather^ wgjs one of a neet of craters. This seems to be borne out by the faoi that the bottom in some places seequj to have been out off. One surveyor has said, however, that he was aft* to obtain soundings all over, jU several places the depth was $QQ yards or 600 feet. Be that .a»,)i may the fact of '.he total area being a crater at ona time is in no, way lessened by that fact. The view, of the lake from the winding cliff , road was a picturesque one. The road in some places was a hundred feet or more above the level of the rippling, waters. At one point the traveller could look over the embankment of the road and look down the parpen* dicular cliff into the sea below. ' 'It will be noticed that the word sea vai used. Truly the noble expanse, of water may be called an island sea, because it in every way resembles one with the exception that the water is freßh. The lake is easily made angry, and one of the finest sights is to watch the breakers come tumbling in when a gale is at its height. There was only a genfle/ breeze blowing when we beheld the scene, but the whole time a line of three or four breakers continually washed the shore. A great deal more could be said of this interesting lake and its surroundings, but spaed must now be made for the gold--mrning cifj of the north. . (To be continued.) ••-..