THE TB AROHA THERMAL SPRINGS. (Thames Advertiser, Nov. 25, 1884.)

Te Aroha News, Volume II, Issue 79, 6 December 1884, Page 7

THE TB AROHA THERMAL SPRIN GS. (Thames Advertiser, No v. 25, 1884.)

The existence of a natural endowment of mineral and thermal springs in the very centre of Te Aroha township forms <a powerful attraction to the district, and if properly conserved, will prove of the utmost value to its inhabitants. Though the virtues of the spring's hare quite lately become generally known, they v/ue recognised in Uie early occupanis of the gold field, and tin: now traditional bath, \wth its [)rimitive enclosure, of piano cast 1 , and its raupo-uhatcne^ roof, is fr 'qnentiy rei'eire-l to by the pioneer settlers iv k j r:n> of gratitude and for benelits received. Within- the 1 isfc couple of montiis t\\Q faun- of the baUis has become noised aU'oui.aud the influx of visitors is perceprihly increasing. The splines aie situated at. the base of one of the south-western «?purs or tho Mountain of Love (.djoining that on vbiuh the original prospectors' claim was pegged out), and are comprised within a public reserve of twenty acres, which is controlled by a nominated Domain Board. Included in this area are numerous nun ral springs, of which the waters of <w*ly a few have yet been brought to t.ie surface, and utilised for the public benefit, but the judicious ■expenditure of a few hundred pounds would doubtless result in the discovery of many, the existence of which is yet unknown, and the development of a "wonderful Sanatorium within easy reach of tke principal centres of population. In every instance the water is found to Issue from the interstices of " reefs," which intersect the ground in various directions, and which, from the irregularity of their courses, have evidently been formed by the deposit of silica held in solution by the water, during its .passage through the crevices of the Bui face rocks. The temperature of the springs already opened ranges from •about 100 to 140 degrees Fahrenheit, but by concentration of the waters in the batuiug-places, various intermediate degrees of heat are obtained. The accommodation for bathers at present consists of three bath-houses, erected in widelyseparated parts of the domain, two beina: plunge baths, and the third having private recesses, furnished with requisites conveniences. The first plunge-bath, situated near the north-western end of the reserve, possesses a regular flow of ■water, the temperature ranging from 100 to 105 degrees, and is most favoured by those who patronise the waters merely for the sake of pleasure. The more efficacious bath for rheumatic patients has been erected in the gully, where the hottest supply of water is obtained. Here the temperature is frequently as liiufii HvS J 20 de jees, and the mercury seido.u Ml* below 115 degrees, the variation being cvi .vjntly regulated by the win. is. The tuird building is provided with two or lin.iry-pizsd bath^. end beside* tlie u>uii am-soiy of a cold shower, there is <»u a 1 iiti-nal cool pluns;* , "which is partieuhriy refieshing after an iiuiulirence in i».s warmer neighbours. The water for use in the latter is obtained from the .jot^esi springs of the hill-side, but beiii^c«>nducted aconsideiable distance, is delivered with the agreeable te np-jraturd of 110 to 115 degrees, winch, howevei, can be varied, «t the will of (he uathef by the addition of cold water irmn f, t e taps provided for the purpose. The piivancy secured by this bath renders it the especial choice of the ladies. It is intended to beautify the grounds by laying out shrubberies, <&c,, and making provision for lawn tennis and croquet courts on the flat adjoining the mam street. Nominal fees are exacted *rom bathers, which are sufficient to defray the expenses of maintaining the accommodation. Besides the bathing springs, there are also contained within the reserve a number of sulphur and soda springs, but the former have not yet been utilised. Two of the clearly-flowing soda fountains have been opened, and yield a very pleasant beverage, which is esteemed highly beneficial as a preventative and curative of indigestion,* and kindred disorders, and is largtly used bf the residents. .Numerous instances are relate 1 of surprising cures effected by the course of bathing and it is stated tiiat many rheumatic patients whose cases have been declared hopeless have experienced relief. About the most remarkable case is that of a gentleman who recently arrived from Waikato district, absolutely crippled by rheumatism, and unable to move a limb without assistance after ; a third day's bathing, his stiffened limbs relaxed, the pains shifted, and an improvement commenced, the result deing that at the end of twelve days, he was able to return to his home, and resume his ordinary occupation. Other cases are cited for the edification of the' visitor, who can also practically test the efficacy of the springs in relieving himself within a few minutes of the weariness and stiffness caused by a days hard riding. The cheap mean. 4 of communication with populated centres by rail or steamer, and the inexpensive means of living in the . district, give Te Aroha a manifest a {vantage over other watering-places, enabling it to be patronised by those whose income would render a visit. to Waiwera or Kotorua out of the question. There can be little doubt that it will shortly become one of the most popular of colonial watering-places, and the possession of such invaluable resources, together witti tue proximity of the goldfield and of the fertile plains of the Tuames Valley,, should ensure a piosperous future to the townsnip, the prospect being almost unexampled in any other part of the colony.

Bfituin nmnn r'aclmes nearly 400,000,000 • Jb» of wool uikHtiiiUy,