Notes.

Manawatu Herald, 18 December 1900, Page 2

Notes.

» ■ On a Tour of the North Island of N. 2., (October- November 1900) including the HOT LAKES DISTRICT. (The Wonderland of New Zealand.) By Chas. Austin. (Continued.) This was, the guide stated, the indication that the cauldron would play in a few seconds. In half a minute the whole cauldron was boiling up in terrible confusion, and at times, shooting the water up to a height of 10 to 15ft, during which we were completely enveloped in steam. We spent about fifteen minutes aQgniring this wonderful sight, during which the muffled boom could be heard, the peculiar treraour felt and the Cham*

pr.gne cauldron was increasing in motion. The cauldron is situated in the midst of some beautiful scenery, and its heavily-charged silicated waters are forming a pretty silicacoated terrace with the constant overflow. The Pack-horse geyser is next seen. This is a huge boiling mud hole, which was one time excited into activity for months by a pack-horse accidentally falling into it. Then we come across the Great Wairakei geyser, which is very large and t of a triangular shape. This geyser is a great sight as it vomits forth from its great throat tons of water and steam to a height of 30 to 40ft every seven minutes. The steam hammer, and the donkey engine, are constant workers, and are heard disi tinctly hard at work with their thumping noise before you reach them. The Dragon's mouth geyser is in action every few minutes, but the eruption does not last long, as the peculiar shape of the Dragon's • mouth prevents the water paying to any great height, and it flows back into the geyser which immediately stops the action, and it prepares itself for another eftort. Just below "we see the famous lightning pool, which is perfectly clear and remarkable for the large steam bubbles which rise continuously to the surface. On holding a stick in the pool, the force of the steam bubbles give one a peculiar sensation, similar to an electric shock. The twins geyser plays at regular intervals and is a very pretty sight. A little further along we come to the Prince of Wales' Feathers, which sends up a magnificent spray of water and steam to a height of about 30ft, which is very brilliant as the sun shines through the sparkling spray. Close by is The Whistler, which plays simultaneously with the Prince of Wales' geyser. A little further on and we see the Funnel, which is so named on account of its funnel-like shape, and tke hoarse roar which the steam and water occasionally make through its aperture. The Eagle's nest is a cone about 10ft in diameter and about sft high, formed of a quantity of sticks which have become \ coated with silica, and presents a "^ dazzling white appearance. This geyser is somewhat irregular in its action, but is a grand sight when seen sending up a large column of spray some 6or Bft high. Besides these, there are numerous other very unique sights at the Wairakei valley, , such as the Hell geyser, the Coral geyser, coloured mud springs, Petrifying geyser, steam jets and mud holes. Indeed, the Wairakei valley may truly be named the " show place of Wonderland," there being a number of geysers to be seen playing almost at any time and at very short intervals ; and no one should pass through the Hot Lakes district without spending a day or two at Wairakei. Before bidding farewell to this pretty little place I made a visit to the Waiora valley, where some move wonderful sights are to be seen. The principal places being : The heavenly twins, a blue lake (beautifully situated on the top of an old crater), the doctor's bath, cream bath (beneficial for skin diseases), the chrystal pool, salmon falls and terrace, satan's eyeglass (a small crater emitting a quantity of steam), the large mud geyser and 'various coloured lakes j and springs which are of a varied ' and interesting character. THE WAIKATO. I was also accompanied to the great Aratiatia rapids, considered by many to be the finest rapids in the j southern hemisphere. Here the ' whole of the waters of the Waikato j river becomes narrowed into a channel of about 40 or 50ft in width through which the foaming torrent madly rushes, falling 800 ft in six different falls in a distance of about half a mile. Several splendid views of this magnificent sight may be obtained i from some of the high cliffs overlooking the river at this particular place, en route to Taupo, and about two miles from Wairakei, the driver stopr&nd eworts us to the Kerapiti blow bole (or the Devil's trumpet). Eerapiti is a wonder in itself, and is said to have been an immense geyser , in the very early days, but now \ belches forth to a considerable height a continuous column of steam year j after year, and reminds one of a tremendous safety valve. The opening is about 15 inches in diameter and the pressure is said to be about ISOlbs to the square, inch, and wou'd be sufficient to drive half a dozen large engines if the power could be utilised. (To be Continued.)