THE HOT SPRINGS OF NEW ZEALAND.

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume VII, Issue 15, 17 January 1872, Page 2

THE HOT SPRINGS OF NEW ZEALAND.

(To the Editor of the Australasian.) Sir, — Observing that excursion steamers are leaving this port for places in New Zealand, more particularly in the Middle Island, and knowing that the hale and hearty are the usual passengers on such trips, I -wish to draw the attention of those who are afflicted in health to the renovating properties of the mineral springs of the Northern Island of New Zealand. These springs range from cold to boiling heat (the natives cooking their food in the latter), and are particularly efficacious in cases of rheumatism, cutaneous eruptions, scrofula, and indiscretions arising from excess and fast living. Having derived incalculable benefit from them, I should be ungrateful were I not to make known their blessings to suffering humauity. Hitherto they have been nearly unknown, as their position in an inaccessible country precluded invalids from visiting them ; now the roads are made, and they are rendered easy of access. Situate half way between Auckland and Napier, arrangements could easily be made to visit them from either place ; the time occupied would be about 14 days there and back. I will merely mention two instances of their value that came under my notice. A man engaged in erecting the telegraph poles was bent nearly double with rheumatism; as he reached the springs he availed himself of them, and on passing him a fortnight ago, he waß erect and working hard. A young man from England, with the effects of disease contracted there, joined tbe constabulary force ; in a short time, through marching and exposure, be became so bad that he was literally " weary of life ; " he obtained a week's pass, took the baths, and came back a new creature, and is now with the field force, able to do his duty with any of his comrades. To fast young men who have drunk the dregs of the cup of pleasure the springs are indeed a blessing, and I seriously beg to draw their most earnest attention to them; better spend their holidays there and return new men, than patch up and never get thoroughly well. An English nobleman, well known in these colonies, so thoroughly appreciated them that, when pronounced incurable in England, he purchased a yacht and returned to New Zealand, and entirely recovered. I have left that part and have no personal interest in the island, but I deemed it a duty to draw attention to their marvellous properties. The botanist would be lost in admiration at the splendid specimens of ferns; the finest I have seen here are literally trash to those found in the Lake Districts, not here and there one, but gorge after gorge almost impassable with them. Should the steamboat company so arrange that passengers could avail themselves of this part of the country, they would reap a rich harvest in ensuing seasons, as invalids would flock there on the results being known. Should you deem this worthy of insertion, and wish further information respecting the route and halting stations, I shall be pleased to give tbe fullest information in my power. F. W. B. Melbourne, Dec. 11. For remainder of neves see fourth page.