Notes.

Manawatu Herald, 6 December 1900, Page 2

Notes.

On a Tour of the North Island of N.Z., (October-November 1900) including the HOT LAKES DISTRICT. (The Wonderland of New Zealand.) By Chas. Austin. (Continued.) ONEHUNGA is pleasantly situated about seven miles from Auckland, where a few hours may be spent to advantage. You may travel thence by rail, coach or bicycle. Here you can cross the Mangere Bridge, which is of very great length. There is a considerable amount of shipping at Onehunga. The Colonial Sugar Refining Company's Works may be inspected by taking a return ticket (price 6d) across the harbour to Chelsea, and is well worth visiting. The works are on a very expensive and elabourate scale, and there are about 200 hands employed at the present j time, nearly all being men. The motive power is obtained from seven large Cornish boilers, which supply the steam for many engines, and all the machinery used for the various processes of sugar-refining. It would take up too much space in my brief reminiscences to adequately describe this splendid factory, and a visit is really necessary to give one a good insight into the methods of sugar-refin-ing — a very important industry in New Zealand. THE THAMES. Leaving Auckland at n p.m. in the s.s. Waimarie, we arrived at Paeroa at 8 a.m. the next morning after a delightful trip up the famous Thames

river. After regaling ourselves with refreshments we proceeded by coach to Waihi (14 miles) at 10.30 a.m. r passing Makeytown, Karangahape and Waikino — all mining towns. It was at the latter place that bullion to the amount of about £800 was stolen from the batteries, but was subsequently found hidden in the bed of the river a little lower down, quite recently, although the thief or thieves have not yet been arrested. The Waihi Gold 4 Mining Co., at Waihi, is the largest and possesses the most modern and extensive gold saving machinery in New Zealand. By the kind courtesy of the manager, I was provided with a guide, who accompanied me on a visit to the "Martha" (No. 2 shaft)— the largest mine in New Zealand. Here we descended the shaft to a depth of 590ft into the bowels of the earth. With candle in hand we traversed several of thf 'Irves and tunnels and saw the working of the mine in various * parts, which is very interesting . After visiting the mining' operations we paid a visit of inspection to the batteries of the " Martha," which was also of a very interesting character. The W»?ibi Co. have over 8 miles of tunnelliVg and shafts, and employ between 6oi&' and 700 men at the present time, working the whole 24 hours in three shifts of 8 hours each. The motive power used in crushing at the No. 2 battery consists of one 350 h.p. and one 60 h.p. engines. Besides these, there are Turbines which provide sufficient power for about four months in the year, when there is a plentiful supply of water, this is a great saving in fuel and wear of machinery. The quartz is crushed almost as fine as flour, put into large vats or tanks and? then treated with the " cyanide " process, whereby almost all the gold is saved. Owing to the enormous developement of the gold-mining industry in Waihi, it has been found necessary to construct a branch line of railway between Paeroa and Waihi, which work is being pushed ahead with all possible speed. This will be a great convenience to the public in this goldmining district, and will relieve the congested traffic now existing od the roads. At 8 a.m. the next morning we left the Rob Roy Hotel at Waihi, arriving at Paeroa at 10 a.m. We spent the remainder of the day at Paeroa, and left at 7 a.m. next day for Te Aroha* (13 miles), arriving at the Grand Hotel in time for breakfast — 8.15 a.m. TE AROHA. Te Aroha is very prettily situated on the banks of the Thames river, and at \, the base of the Te Aroha mountain, which is over 3000ft in height. From the summit of this mountain a splendid view is obtained on a clear day, including the sea to the eastward with White island in the same direction partly enveloped in vapour. Tongariro, Ruapehu and Ngaurohoe are also plainly visible towards the south. « It takes about three hours to reach the ■ summit of Mount Te Aroha, but the - climb well repays the tourist by the magnificent view which it embraces* Te Aroha is famous (or its thermal springs and baths, which is the principal attraction to the visitor. There are eighteen springs under the control of the Domain Board ; and there are seven large bath-houses erected with every convenience in the prettily-laid-otit-domain ; besides 19 private bathrooms in the large building just above the lawn. In these latter baths you may tnrn on the water by valves to any heat yon may require, and these are very much in demand — especially for invalids for whom specially-con-structed baths have been erected. Several of the baths are set apart for ladies only. Bath No. 2is large, with comfortable dressing and waiting rooms. This is the hottest bath at Te Aroha, being 105 to 107 degrees, the temperature being taken every morning. I found that ten minutes was long enough in this bath, and after a cold shower, it is very refreshing and invigorating. The bath N». 16 (cold) is 66ft x 33ft, and is used very much indeed, this being a swimming bath. All of these baths are provided with showers, which are expatronised. No. 15 spring is : 1 a pretty octagonal summer-house, and -many people take a drink from the fountain several times a day, the water being warm, effervescent, and is a soda mineral water, and contains other beneficial minerals. There is also another drinkin-j spring, the temperature of which is lower ; and a cold soda-water spring. Large quantities of the Te Aroha mineral waters are sent to various parti of the Colonies, owing to their wonderful curative virtues. There is also a cold spring, the water of which is used for application in affection of the eyes. The drinking mineral waters of Te Aroha, which are famous for their wonderful curative properties, is a peculiar advantage which Rotorua does not possess. The fact that between 30,000 and 40,000 baths were taken at Te Aroba last year, shows how extensively these famous baths are patronised. The climate of Te Aroha is delightful. Tennis, riding, driving and boating may be indulged in, besides bathing to vour heart's content. Te Aroha is an ideal place for the worn out business man, who wants to leave the turmoil and strife of the city in order to recruit his health in a charmingly pretty spot. (To be Continued.)