THE MINERAL WATERS OF AUCKLAND PROVINCE.

New Zealand Times, Volume XXX, Issue 4342, 18 February 1875, Page 2

THE MINERAL WATERS OF AUCKLAND PROVINCE.

The mineral springs of Taupo and other districts in the provinces of Auckland and Hawke’s Bay are now receiving so much attention, and are attracting so many visitors in search of health as well as beautiful scenery, that wishes have been generally expressed that the waters should be analysed. This had already been done, though the fact appears to have escaped observation. In Dr. Hector’s eighth annual report (for 1873) on the Colonial Museum and Laboratory,' the following remarks are made by Mr. Skey, Government analyst : No. 1401. Mineral water from Puriri, Auckland ; composition calculated in grains per gallon.

; This water is clear and sparkling, has a specific gravity of 1006'4S at 60deg. Fahr., and is strongly alkaline. A crystalline sediment had formed, the composition of which was carbonate of lime BT2I, and carbonate of magnesia, with traces of iron, 1879. The quantity of free carbonic acid and other gases present l in the water as it escapes from its source, cannot well be determined, except at the spring. This is, therefore, a very interesting water, and is an alkaline one comparing with, many of, the famous “Continental” waters of this class ; for instance, those of Vichy, in France, and of Fachingen (Nassau). These waters are used medicinally, especially for the cure of gravel, kidney diseases, and gout, also for acidity of the stomach, their most active agent being carbonate of soda. No. 1406 (11). From Hot Spring, Tarawera, is a water containing a considerable amount of free acid (hydrochloric). Its principal constituent is chloride of sodium. The silica is very low, but the sodium high in amount. No. 1406 (12).—From Mr. Parke’s spring, Taupo.—The most saline water of this series. It contains a large quantity of silica, and is rich in iodine.

* The carbonic acid in No. 12 is that which is in a combined form -, there is, besides, a quantity of this acid in a free state. The other samples from the springs _ in Hawke's Bay; province have been examined so far that their general character has been ascertained. The results will be found in the table appended. It should be stated that all these samples of mineral waters gave evidence of the presence of .sulphuretted hydrogen, but as they were enclosed in cork bottles, the quantity of this gas naturally existing in them could not be ascertained; organic matters, such as cork, being able to generate sulphuretted hydrogen from aqueous solutions of the sulphates when in contact with them. In the following schedule the localities of the various waters are stated, together with certain interesting particulars which have been furnished with tlie samples, and also their general character as adduced from results described in the foregoing table : No. I.—Otumuheke Spring, collected Ist May, 1873. A siliceous water, more than half the solid matters present being silica ; the remaining portion is principally chloride of sodium, with a notable quantity of iodides. No. 2.—From same locality, collected at same time, is also a siliceous water; but though it contains a large proportion of alkaline chlorides, it gives but slight indications of iodine. No. 3.—Otumuheke Stream water, temp. 78°, from bathing-places at Lake Taupo, and is similar to No. 1. It is largely charged with iodine. No. 4. —From Ituahine Hot Springs (springs on Mr. Locke's ground), the temperature of which is 190° Fahr. It is eminently a saline water, its principal constituent being chloride of sodium. This water is charged with iodine to the highest degree of any of this series of waters. Collected May Ist, 1873. No. s.—The baths, Orakei-Korako, as received, very turbid and high colored. Turbidity did not sensibly disappear when water was allowed to stand at rest for a long time. This water is highly charged with saline matters (alkaline chlorides), and it gives a very distinct reaction of iodine. It contains much organic matter. No. 6, from Mr. Mac Murray's bath, is a siliceous water, and though poor in alkaline chlorides, is rich in iodides. No. 7.—The Alum cave, Orakei-Korako, collected 17th May, 1873, differs from any of the preceding waters in containing a large quantity of sulphate of lime. It gives evidence of only traces of iodine. No. B.—The Crow Nest hot springs, temperature of spring 179° Fahr. Collected Ist May, 1873. Similar to No.- 4, being a very saline water. Quantity of iodine is very minute, but still can be detected in the water unconcentrated. No. 9.—From Waipahuhi, forms a pool about fifty yards by thirty, the native name of which is Ko-ueke-neke. It has a rocky

bottom, and is a fine swimming' bath. Temperature of water varies from 9S° to 120 * Collected Ist May, 1873. This is a siliceous water, from which iodine’ appears to be absent; at least this element -could not be detected in it by the starch test, when concentrated (by evaporation) to onefifth of its original bulk. No. 10. —From a hot spring on the Oranui Block, Te “Huka Huka," forms a bathing place 15ft. by 10ft., a cold water creek and hot springs issuing from the rocks at side,and, bottom. Collected sth May, 1873. This (No. 10) resembles the spring water of a slate country, its salt being less siliceous than any of the other waters except Nos. 3 and 11. It is, however, largely charged with iodine. It is seen that we have several distinct kinds of mineral waters within no great distance of each other, which of itself is often a considerable advantage in the medicinal use of waters of this kind. ■ ■ . It is to be observed, however, that while some of them differ very much from the rest in general chemical characters, they nearly all contain iodine, and in quantity sufficient to impart to them decided therapeutic qualities, iodine and its alkaline salts being, as is well known, very efficacious when externally applied in oases of cutaneous eruption, chronic rheumatism, and like complaints. In the report for 1874 occurs the following passage:— WATERS. Several mineral waters from new localities have been partially examined and analyzed quantitatively. Among the former is a water procured by myself fromßurton’s, Taipo, No. 1500. It is a hepatic one, of a variety different to any of those found or at least announced here prior to this. Besides the sulphuretted hydrogen which gives it the character stated for it, this water contains a little arsenic and minute traces of iodine. It is slightly acid, but acquires a strong alkaline reaction when evaporated to a small bulk. No. 1524 is from a small lake at Waimongeao, near Mount Edgecombe, and is asserted to be of a poisonous nature, from the fact that birds in attempting to fly over frequently fall into it. The only substance present in' this water capable, when mixed with air, of thus affecting birds, is carbonic acid, and as the water appears strongly. charged with this gas, in all probability there is a large escape of it from the bed of the lake, and which, after saturating the water of it, mixes with the air above and so poisons it. No. 1567 is from a mineral spring about the boundary of the Hon. Donald McLean’s run in the province of Napier. Its characters are as follows Somewhat turbid, has a decidedly., saline taste, and is feebly alkaline to test pkper. Its principal constituent is chloride of . sodium ; it differs from sea-water, however, in containing a notable quantity of carbonate of soda; also, in giving a very distinct reaction of iodine to the proper tests for this substance, even when these are applied to the water as unconcentrated. The following results of its analysis are expressed in grains per gallon;—

. •too 8W - These results allow of being expressed in the following manner;— -<

N.B.—The difference in these totals arises from the elimination of some oxygen in the case of the column giving the smaller one. A mineral water just collected by the Survey, from Waipiro, Poverty Bay, No. 1586, has not been fully examined: it has been, however, ascertained to be a very sahne one, chloride of sodium being its predominating salt. It is interesting as occurring associated with the petroleum of that district.

Chloride of sodium .. 21*038 Iodide of magnesium .. Sulphate of soda *940 Sulphate of potash Carbonate of iron Bi-carbonate of lime .. .. 28'50C Bi-carbonate of magnesia .. 25*625 Bl-carbonate of soda .. .. 452-393 Bi-carbonate of silica .. Phosphoric acid.. Not determined Silica 537 112

— Acidulous Mineral Water. Alkaline Mineral Water. Chlorine, with Bro11. 12 mine Traces 40-497 50-076 Iodine •714 1*012 Sulphuric Acid .. 2‘150 2*156 2*221 16*752 Carbonic Acid Traces *35-751 Alumina *621 Iron 1*049 2-036 i*994 Magnesia .. *492 *613 3*681 5*675 46*495 SO'710 Silica Traces Traces. Phosphoric Acid .. 99*956 200*739

Soda .. 2X9*319 Potash 2*833 Lime 2*219 Magnesia.. 7-158 Lithea .. Traces Iron oxides 1*481 6*418 Chlorine .. .. 240*362 Sulphuric acid .. Carbonic acid .. 18*444 Iodine and bromine Traces 493*940

Chloride of sodium • .. ■ .. 392*594 Chloride of potassium.. Iodides and bromides.. .. Not estimated Sulphate of soda .. .. .. 1*269 Carbonate of soda .. IS *604 Carbonate of magnesia ... 15*831 Carbonate of lime .. .. 3*961 Carbonate of iron 2*386 Silica .. 6-418 445*511