Notes.

Manawatu Herald, 15 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.) The trip by steamer to Lake Rotoiti from Rotorua is very enjoyable, and 4 occupies nearly a whole day. Botoiti is connected with Lake Rotorua by a narrow channel, and the scenery ii most exquisite as the steamer glides in and out of the many bayß, the shores of which are clothed with luxuriant native bush. Having spent *•* one week at Rotorua, I proceeded by coach to Waiotapu (a distance of 21 miles) viewing Mount Tarawera en route, the scene of the late eruption!. The thousands of acres of land which are covered with ashes and lava, together with the terribly large rents blown out of Mt. Tarawera on that fearful night (1886) give one an idea of the tremendous power which was exhausted in causing such an upheaval, and the awful destruction of life and property without any warning whatever. On nearing Waiotapu the coachman gives us an opportunity of seeing the great Mud Voloanoe, which is boiling tip in a most turbulent fashion, sending the mud some three or four feet into the air. A little further on the Torpedo lake is to be seen, out of which quantities of gas are emitted, cawing an explosion similar to a number of rifles being set oft at all times. The Torpedo is a constant worker, the volleys of which are continuous day and night. After luncheon at the Waiotapu Hotel, which is replete with every comfort, we are escorted by the guide Aporo to the Alum cliffs, sulphur oaves, explosion craters, the primrose fall, champagne pool and coloured lakes, all of whioh are very interesting sights to witness, and well repay one for breaking the journey and staying one day at Waiotapu. From the summit of Maungakakaramea, or Rainbow Mt., as it is familiarly named, an excel- *" lent view of the surrounding volcanic country for many miles isobtained. There is a bridle track to the summit, and it is a very pleasant ride on a beautifully clear morning, the distance being about 8 miles from Waiotapu. The Waiotapu -. valley contains some wonderful ther- * mal springs, and various interesting sights whioh will claim very much attention from tourists in the near future. Leaving Waiotapu at 12 noon we resume the journey by coach —^ over a splendid road, passing through a lot of volcanic country, winding in and out, and along the sloping hill sides, crossing the Waikato river and arriving at the Geyser House Hotel, Wairakei, at 4.80 p.m., having travelled another 85 miles. YHB OKYBBB HOUSI. At the Geyser House Hotel, kept by Mrs Grieraon, proprietoress of the estate, the most comfortable quarters are obtained, both for the tourist or invalids. There are several detached houses comfortably furnished, and used for sleeping compartments, .which is a great improvement on the ordinarily-built hotel. These dwellings are beautifully situated, being surrounded with plantations and jirdens, with pretty winding paths nnd shady nooks, whioh are much coveted on a hot day. Just below the hostelry flows a stream — the Kiriohinekai— with an average temperature of 100 degrees, beside whioh a number of comfortable bath houses have been erected for the free use of visitors to thin charming little place. The baths consist of tin following, and are araons the bsst baths to be obtained in the whole Thermal district : — A very large swimming bath, temperature 104, with a cold bath adjoining, into which a plunge is most refreshing an 3 invigorating after leaving the hot bath. Tht tijuch is a most delightful bath, about lOOdegs., and the sensation of the minature waterfall flowing over one's shoulders is beautiful and very beneficial indeed after fatigue, and in many cases of bodily ailments, relief being obtained almost immediately. The sp3ut bath is also replete in every way. There are, besides these above-named, two other swimming baths a little lower down the stream, which are very pleasant indeed. The Wairakei valley contains some of the most wonderful sights and phenomena of the wbote of Wonderland 1 1 1 The great centre of activity is about & mile from the hotel. Accompanied by the guide, who is familiarly called "Bob" Maine, and who has a wonderful store of knowledge concerning geysers and their actions, we reach the valley after passing over a few fernclad hills. The valley is exceedingly beautiful, with its stream of hot water fed by numerous springs and geysers, and its high walls on either side almost perpendicular and covered with a luxurious growth of moss, ferns and Bhrnbs. As we pass along the valley and are nearing the geysers, the guide requests you to be careful, in places, when following him, as some of the moss-covered ground is • so rotten and treacherous that it might give way under foot ! Ie The principal, or rather, perhapf the j most wonderful sight of the valley^B is the great Champagne Cauldroi^

We bed a splendid viotv of this f»*om a» high position on the opposite side of the stream, and afterwards made a closer inspection when we descended the rocky steps and looked into it from the edge of the rocks above. Here you look down into an immense sparkling sheet of water about- 30ft or 40ft in diameter, in a constant state of effervescence. We sat on the rock watching the myriads of bubbles rise sparkling to the surface and burst, in various parts of this miniature boiling lake, then in a few moments saw the waters swell up in different parts and emitting large olouds of steam. Then we heard distinct rumbles at almost regular intervals and felt the very ground on which were sitting, tremble frequently with the shock of the steam bubbles in the subterranean regions struggling with its weight of water —some 80 tons— to escape to the surface. (To be Continued.)