Puriri Mineral Springs.

Thames Star, Volume IX, Issue 3064, 10 December 1878, Page 2

Puriri Mineral Springs.

For many yearu the medicinal virtues of these celebrated springs were known to the natives of the Coromandel Penin. sula and surrounding districts, and, the waters were largely used by them for several complaints. To Mr A. J. Allom, however, is due the credit' for having brought them under the notioe of the European public ; that gentleman, whilst reluming from a holiday hip, having taken some of the water away with him and had an analysis made, which shewed that amongst the constituents 'of' the water were several valuable curative agents. Mr Kelly formerly of Kelly's claim, has' been the' proprietor of these springs for some considerable time; and lately with Mr Fraser, his partner, deternamed to turn his property .to.,good account. Samples of the water were sent to Dr. Hector, Mr Skey, and other Colonial savants, and the unanimous verdict of these gentlemen has been to the effect that the .water possesses, valuable curative properties, being especially essential in diseases of the digestive organs, kidney, and liver, and even rheumatism and gout. Local medical men have also fciveia, their testimony in its favor, arid'it has been several times compared toYthe celebrated European medicinal waters of Kissengen in Bavaria, Fachingen in Nassau' aid Vichy in France, which/ like'- the Puriri water,, are classed as alkaline waters in contradistinction to muriate'd', ?bitter, and other wafers, as those of Seidlitz, and Hall in Austria. Referring to alkaline mineral waters, a well-known authority says: "These waters (alkaline)are;ujef«l in certain forms of indigestion, in jauadiee arising from catarrh of the hepatio ducts, in gall stones, in venal caculi and gravel, in gout, in chronic catarrh of the', respiratory organs, and' in abdominal plethora. Vichy may be taken as the representative of this class of springs:" The proprietors, convinced of the value of the 1 spring!, have determined to turn the waterintq'a marketable commodity, and with Jhat view "have,, gone to. considerablel!'-ex-pense -in the erection of, machinery on the ground for the; purpose, ot aerating the water, when it is turned into apleasant, effervescing' drink not unlike the ordinary soda, water,- though for medicinal purposes is. preferable :in:'its natural state. The- water, has already found its way into the principal hotels'of this town, and commands a rapid sale, so that we may soon expect to see its*popularity extend over the whole colony.' We understand it is a portion of' the, plan' of the enterprising proprietors to I.erect" a' large hotel, and accommodation - house at the springs, when visitors can have the advantage of drinking th,e water, direct from the springs. A, large number^ of opinions of' medical men, etc., app«ac\ia another*column., ,', ..,",. ;<- » „.. ,:,;