Thermal Activity.

Rotorua Morning Post, Volume 2, Issue 566, 24 June 1933, Page 8

Thermal Activity.

Thermal activity begins on the shore of the lake and even in the waters, which, cold and clear, mingle and pulse with countless small hot J springs rising through the bed of the i'lake. On the shore these springs become small geysers or pools as the mood takes them. The old Maori village of Ohinemutu is established on the edge of the lake amidst a we'ter ' of thermal activity, but while this j | amazes the visitor, it is but a cc.11i monplace to the Maori who utilisea the visible manifestations of nature's power to the mundane purpose of steaming to a tempting tenderness his evening meal of fish, meat or vegetables. Two miles away, at Whakarewarewa is thermal activity in more turhulent mood and there a small valley contains an unparalleled amount of thermal activity. Geysers of 'great force and intensity vie with huge mud pools where the gurgitating hot mud forms and re-forms into fantastic and beautiful designs, hissing blow-holes and petrified terraces of great beauty of colouring. For a modest fee visitors are conducted through this area by native women guides, or wahines, smartly dressed in native costume. These charming mentors relate many interesting legends and anecdotes of the igeysers and pools. By its association with' thermal ac tivity and curative waters, Rotorua is regarded hy some misinformed persons as a place where life is precarious, earthquakes commonplace. Nothing could be further from the actual truth, for in the whole history of the town not even a chimney has been thrown down. Rotorua is the ' radiating point for outbreaks of thermal activity in an larea of many square miles. Most of f these interesting sights are taken irf arranged scenic trips, of which the following hrief descriptions will give some idea of the fascinating nature of the country.