WATWERA.

Thames Star, Volume VIII, Issue 2936, 13 July 1878, Page 2

WATWERA.

The enterprising proprietor of the estate at Waiwera known as the Hot Springs has just published a pamphlet, the subject matter of which may be gathered from the title page as follows: •• Waiwera Hot Springs : the Sanitarium of New Zealand and the Australian Colonies; a descriptive pamphlet and guide, with photographic vienr." The Waiwera Hot Springs are pretty well known to many residents in this district, who have derived benefit from the celebrated waters, and the brochure under notice is intended more for people at a distance than restdents in the Worth Island. At the same time it is not out of place to say that in this latest work on " Waiwera some information is given which may be new to " old identities." At the beginning of the book is a very good lithographic view of the hotel, gardens and bay, taken from a point just behind the baths, and vis-a-vis, a portrait of the proprietor, Mr Robert Graham. At the end of the book is a plan of the esta'e, which comprises 440 acres, with its relative position to other northern settlements. The letter press sets forth that Mr Robert Graham arrived in New Zealand on the Bth of October, 1842, in

the barque JaneGifford, "the first vessel that cast anchor in the Auckland harbor direct from Great Britain." Mr Graham's attention having been attracted to the value of the Waiwern waters, he made up bis mind to accomplish the purchase of the property, which he succeeded in doing, " after great difficulty and at considerable expense," in 1845 ; so .that he has owned the property for about 32 years. A history of the springs is given in brief terms, in which some of the vicissitudes of the early colonists are noticed, embracing the incidents attending the raid made by Horn Hcki in 1845. The native traditions regarding the springs are recorded, and the virtues attributed to them by the Maoris before the country was settled by "Europeans. There is also an analysis of the Water by Mr J. M. Tunny, Provincial Analyst; another by Mr W. Skey, of the Colonial Laboratory ; a description of 4he hotel, gardens and grounds ; directions as to bathing; opinions of the Press; and a numerous array of testimonials, as to the efficacy of the waters in curing certain complaints. In the latter appear several names of well known citizens of the Thames, whose published testimony can no doubt be verified by verbal confirmation. It is not so long since a correqPfcdent of this paper on:a .'-'flying;visit" contributed some, particulars regarding Waiwera. We can safely say that in the future Waiwera will be a place of great resort from this and other districts, and the pamphlet under notice will help tobring the springs into notice. ' Waiwera is already a cosmopolitan institution, and with the improvements now in progress' it should prove a mine of wealth' to the enterprising owner who has retained it for such a long period of years. .. , „