EARLY ROTORUA

Rotorua Morning Post, Volume 3, Issue 682, 7 November 1933, Page 7

EARLY ROTORUA

CLIPPINGS FROM "THE CHRONICLE." August 7, 1897. — Large numhers j og fish have recently been observed ! spawning high up the Ngongotaha and Umurua streams. A considerable ' numiber have also returned to the lake after spawning. These fish, it has been remarked, do not present the appearance of brown trout, having none of the marks which distinguish that speeies, but, instead, have bright, silvery sides, tinged with gold when the sun shines on them. Another peculiar feature, according, to our informant, is that each is possessed of a curved ' protuberance, something like a. hook, on the lower jaw, which fits int0 a cavity in the upper jaw. It has been observed that with this protuberance the fish picks animalcule, grubs, ete., from all the dead timber in the stream. August 18, 1897. — IWe are glad to observe that the timber for the projected improvements at the Postmaster Baths is now on the ground, and work will shortly he commenced. The improvements will consist of the erection of two waiting-rooms — ladies' and gentlemen's — and the extension of the present porch. The ladies' room will be situated on the left-hand opposite their own baths, and the igentlemen's on the right. Gold water has now been laid on so' as to provide showers. It was supposed that the hot spring known as Matuatonga, or Corlett's Bath, would ihe utilised for hot douche purposes, hut the supply, it has been calculated, would scarcely be sufficient. Others means will be taken to provide this necessary adjuncfc, as the~ supply of hot water in the vicinity is practically inexhaustible. The baths rnaintain their temperature of from 104 to 108 degrees on the men's side and from 105 to 110 degrees on the ladies'. Mr. and Mrs. Mason, the new attendants, are spoken highly of for their attention to bathers. We are also1 pleased to note that the ground has been marked ofr for the additional cooling-tank at the Blue Bath, and the work of excavation will begin as soon as arrangements permit. The tank will he 50 feet hy 30 feet, which', roughly speaking, is equal to a capacity of about 20,000 gallons, sufficient to mire than halffill the ba th. The periodical cleaning out will, therefore, be materially expedited.