A VISIT TO THE LAKES AND HOT SPRINGS.

New Zealand Times, Volume XXXIII, Issue 5350, 21 May 1878, Page 3

A VISIT TO THE LAKES AND HOT SPRINGS.

(Continued.) I may here mention that Whakarewarewa, where the sulphur baths are, is situated at the south end of Kotorua Lake, and several natives reside there, who are very obliging to visitors. On leaving this place I visited Baitereria,' snath of Lake Kakahi, and three or four miles farther on, in an easterly direction, I came to Tarawera, a pleasant, place standing on. the south end of Tarawera Lake, _ Here there are some good whares, an English schoolhouse (with about 30 children under the charge of a Government teacher), two hotels, a, store, and a good flour-mill in working order.' I spent two enjoyable days here, and then, started for Fort Galatea, a distance of 40 to 50,miles, on the Eiver Bangitikei, and got there same even-, ing. This was formerly'a Government consta-. bnlary station, and the barracks, &c., remain, standing empty, as the men were withdrawn. Two hundred natives (more_ or less) reside here in a good pa ; arid there is also a Govern-; ment school, attended by about 40, native children learning English. The school is under the charge of Mr, Quinlan, and I heard that it was doing well. Luring the late war the Hanbans destroyed the flonr-mill,. which was a serious loss for too natives. I remained.here some time, visiting places of (interest. A Mr. Troutbeck has a large cattle station; close to Galatea, On leaving this place _ I proceeded on my. return johrney, _ staying at Bunanga, a deserted Maori (fortification,: or war pa, the first night (haying; passed Arawata) after leaving Galatea, and found ,no one there at either place. Next day I made a good trip, and reached Opepe early in the evening. ' I stayed hero one day, and visited toe graves of l those massacred whilst 'defending the redoubt. A party of Mounted Constabulary were stationed: there at the time of my visit. Next morning I left foriTokaao,; and got there just, before sunset.- While on my way back, riding, between.Opepe and. Tapnaehareru, the ground through which the road runs sounded qniW hollow, as if only a , thin stratam - separated the travellers from some gulf beneath. Bcgardlng the’ Toltano springs, in my former notes I stated that too basin was 30 feetin diameter, and a typographical error mado it 130. Leaving lokano I passed Poton, and slept in a shepherd s hut between Tongariro and Buapehu, at the foot of tbo former, mountain, from whence I had a splendid view of the crater in. action. Next day I returned home again through Mun-: motu, and down by. tho river. .There are- ' other routes to too springs, viz., by Tauranga direct, by Napier via . Taupo, from Wanganui per Wangaehu-road via Murimotu, and toe old course up too river which I travelled. Many in search of health or pleasure will probably prefer too river and canoe, on account of its varied scenery and picturesque views. Having, once got into the lake and spring district, the tourist will not content himself with a trip similar to mine, for on arrival at Kaitereria, or Kotorua, he will find hithself in the midst,: or rather on the confines of a cluster of pretty lakes_ and streams. . Care must bo taken in crossing the Waikato Biver and tbo other small streams which intersect the lino of route. The natives arc kind and hospitable, and travelling on horseback is cheap and convenient, and: allows the traveller to wander about at his pleasure! inhaling ffosh life iu the pure and

invigorating air and atmosphere of_the plains. I have given the , route aud names of the places correctly, and if any errors have crept in iu my description .they have done so inadvertently. In conclusion, I may state, as my opinion, that a five pound note, when a traveller has bis own "horse aud blankets, «C. wilbgo a long way with coifimon prudence.