AN EASTER TRIP.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XXXII, Issue 830, 23 April 1910, Page 3

AN EASTER TRIP.

[By Our Own Correspondent]

In our last issue we described briefly the run from Foxton to Taumaranui, thence on the following day to the wonderful Waitomo caves. The third day Rotorua was reached at about 5.30 p.m. The greatest difficulty was experienced in obtaining accommodation despite the fact that we had wired ahead for same. A good

Samaritan, in the person of the genial postmaster, used his influence and secured us excellent

quarters at “Milford House,” opposite the railway station. Hotel tariff varies from 5s to Ss per day. Rotorua is very prettily laid out. Centrally situated is the Government gardens with its handsome bath buildings. The gardens and sanatorium reserves cover an area of nearly 300 acres on the shores of Lake Rotorua. There are flower-gardens and fish-pounds, geysers and boiling springs, Government tea - house, playing - greens for bowlers, tenuis and

croquet players, swimming and private hot mineral baths in the Government Bathing Establishment. Although the season was off the flowers and shrubs were very beautiful. Crowds of people congregate! here, some purely on pleasure bent while others are in search of health and some very pitiable cases come under notice. The officials are ex-

tremely courteous and obliging and the day passes very pleasansly in viewing all that is to be seen. Nearby the Sanatorium is the old native village, Ohinemutu, right on

:he shores of Lake Rotorua and it

is very interesting to wander among the boiling springs and streams and to witness the natives preparing their food over the natural cooking holes. The sulphur fumes are very pungent and the glint of ones jewellery is soon dulled. We had an opportunity of attending Divine Service in the Native church, and subsequently listened to a short address to the pakeha by a young Maori ministerThe singing of the Maori choir, and particularly the rendering of the Maori version of “ Dead Kindly Light,” by the choir, was very fine. Pukeroa Park on the hill above Ohinemutu where is situated recreation grounds and historic redoubt. A very beautiful view is obtained of Rotorua Lake and the surrounding country from this park. The Kuiratt Thermal Reserve and groups of hot springs near the Utuhina Stream are in the vicinity of Pukeroa Park. All these places are within easy walking distance of one’s accommoda-

tion house. Whakarewarewa is about two miles from Rotorua and is a veritable wonderland. It is a Maori village and also a Government Thermal Reserve. A Maori guide is obtained for the sum of is per head to show visitors the sights, and a further charge of is is made to enter the Government Reserve. Here are to be seen several wonderful geysers, including Pohutu, Wairoa, Waikite, Waikorohihi, Kereru and Prince of Wales’ Feather. Innumerable boiling surings, lakelets, and fumaroles. Perhaps the most interesting trip and one that has no rival in the wide world, is accomplished for the modest sum of 17s. It is called the Rotorua-Tarawera-Rotoraahana round trip. It takes a day to accomplish. A drive of 17 miles by coach took us to the Government Accommodation House. En route we saw a number of wild horses nibbling the dry tussock. One noble looking animal with long silver mane and tail attracted particular attention. These we were informed can be had for the getting, but owing to the treacherous nature of the country and the hardy constitution of the animals, is no easy task. After a cup of tea we accompanied the guide down the Waimangu Geyser Valley. This wonderful geyser has not played for a number of years. The basin of Waimanga is about an acre and a quarter in size and beneath one’s feet and all around the water and mud is boiling and bubbling, and steam and sulphur fumes are inhaled ad. lib. It is a fearlul and wouderlul place. The Devil’s Blow Hole breaks out at stated periods with its roaring volume of steam and from huge fissures in the cliffs steam, and a kind of liquid sulphur issues'. At every turn there is something to attract the attention and interest of the traveller.

(To be Continued.)