WHAINGAROA HOT SPRINGS.

Waikato Times, Volume XXVIII, Issue 2286, 5 March 1887, Page 3

WHAINGAROA HOT SPRINGS.

+ [from our own correspondent.] Having now paid two visits to these important thermal springs, I thought it might inserest your readers to know a little more about them. Leaving the Raglan wharf with a flowing tide about six in the morning, we reached the head of the Whaingaroa River at about eight, And, as we passed quickly over the placid waters with hardly a breath of wind above or a ripple of the sea below, the grey morning . clouds that had covered the sky broke away on the appearance of the bright orb of day. On our left lay the residence of Mr Mathias, and, standing out from the shore, were the romantic limestone rocks on the Te Akau station, carved out by the wind and the weather into a thousand shapes and forms. On our right lay the township of Raglan ; behind us, the bar, with now and then a break across it. Karioi stood with' not a cloud upon its brow ; and as we sped on, for willing hands were at the oars, the homes of Mr Wallis and Mrs Wilson, of Okete, came into view, with the peninsula occupied by Mr Bruce ahead. Kiwi Point was passed, near which the late sad boat accident occurred. Both those grand mountains Karioi seaward, and Pirongia inland were to be seen. Our course was now altered in a northerly direction. The Haystack Island, a large mass of rock standing out in the middle of the harhour was passed, and Mr Burgess' place then came to view. Kauri point was soon passed, and as we neared the end of our voyage the scenery became more romantic. Native fishing villiages, with dried shark hung up, were on the shore. Lovely little stretches of sea beach here and there, with hills rising beyond; the residence of the Messrs Wilson on the hillside ; limestone rocks in all varied forms, combined to make a charming picture, delightful for the eye to behold and for the mind to dwell upon. Here was no place for a close season for mullet, as they leapt out of the warter in thousands, and skimmed along its quiet surface. Indeed ever since we left Raglan fish seemed to abound. After a few more turns the landing stage was reached, our bag and baggage turned out of the boat, and slung across our shoulders for our six or seven miles' walk to the hot springs. Here the Whaingaroa river empties itself into the harbour, and along its banks we had to travel, two of my sons going with me. One, on whose account we principally came, had suffered during, the winter from rheumatic fever, and his gait was awkward, his joints swollen and stiff from that complaint. My eldest son, along with another young settler, gave us a help with our traps for a mile or so, before they returned to take the boat back. If the aspect of nature had charmed us in our trip up the harbour (for we had determined, if possible, to leave our cares behind, and in these times they are not a few), we were yet to be even more pleased. Yes, nature was before us, an j why not be captivated by her charms, varied in all their changing beauty 1 The fowl of the air and the fish of the sea attracted our attention; mullet still leapt from the river, and wild ducks, in great quantities, swam or dived below us. Our road was a good broad bridle track with easy gradients all the way. The native settlement of Turau was soon reached. Here is a fine flat of level country, covered with fern. The natives cultivate maize, potatoes, oats, etc. From here the road goes to the Hot Springs, with another road to Waitetuna. Once more we enter the dense bush, until another native settlement opens up at Keteri, and soon the property of Mr Picken is reached. Here we rested until Mr Picken's arrival. His estate of 1000 acres consists of both open fern land and bush, and is a very fine property, clover and grass growing in great luxuriance, but of course suffering from the dry summer. The homestead is pleasantly situated, and the orchards below, though young, by the show of fruit upon the trees, promise when a little older to yield a prolific supply. With Mr Picken reside two young friends from Plymouth town, who have not;,, as in the days of Drake and Oxenham, left the Hoe to voyage " Westward ho," expecting rich spoil upon the Spanish Main from some " Golden Galleon but, far better, come out to the new land to subdue the wilderness, fall the bush, build the brides (for they are engaged at present so doing along with Messrs S. and M. Wilson) than waste existence in Auckland. Would that other young men had equal spirit to leave the towns, and take to country life. After eating a hearty meal, and resting until nearly four in the afternoon, we sped onwards. Mr Picken's being nearly three miles from the landing we had still four miles to go before reaching the springs. High we arose from the river banks and hanging woods, all along the stream, with here and there an open fern patch. Mr John Douglas, who has a sawing contract, kindly gave us a help with one bag for a mile along the road. The heat was intense ; not a breath of wind around, and tired and weary, the journey's end seemed far away. The road, winding along with the rivers' course was level enough, but full of turns, now round a sharp corner, and again around another. At last our patience was rewarded, our journey at an end, and the spa reached just as—

The red sun was setting; the evening breeze, Blew wayward and soft through the whispering For earth 'and her day-god had blushed and smiled, And sank to rest like a weary child. All nature was hushed, the birds sang low ; The tree-tops were tinged with a golden glow, And the Tui that sat on the evergreen spray, Was bathed in the gleam of the dying day. Our whare was soon reached. To my surprise we found a gentleman from Huntly in possession, who kindly boiled on billy for us, whilst we had our first dip in the hot bath. Soon we were into its steaming waters. Tired, foot-sore, and hot, all our pains seemed to depart in a moment as we sank to our necks in the soothing waters. If we had determined to be at eaU in our mind before, surely now was its consummation, for every care seemed to have fled away. Now out and a dip into the cold river below, and up to our whare, tea partaken of, and our fern bed fixed, " Our history once more repeated itself," and "our lodgings were on the cold ground." soothed by our bath and courting sleep, but getting little during the night, our enemies, the mosquitoes, tormenting us all through the silent watch. Once dozing off we laid in some old monastic pile aleng the banks of the Wharfe or Kibble. Through its broken walls we saw two majestic pillars rise with their carved capital to the skies. Our buzzing enemy upon our brow awoke us to sterner realities, and at the open end of our whare stood out, not from ruined pile, the pillars we dreamed of, but two grand and noble trees. As soon as daylight appeared we stepped into the glorious springs, and then to our breakfast; after which our inspection of the springs began. (To be continued.)