H.—l2.

General Bemarks. —Considering the unfavourable analysis (report hereunto attached) of the samples of waters analysed, it would only be waste of time to go into details as to what can be done to bring these springs into use. There can, however, be but one opinion that it would be highly desirable to have some small thermal establishment easily accessible to the population of the West Coast, and, as there is a well laid-out and graded road, fit for coach-traffic in ordinary fair weather, now being made by co-operative labour from Eoss to Hende's Ferry, I would recommend the local authorities and persons interested to spend a few pounds in sinking shafts, cutting drains, &c, so as to discover the actual sources of Springs Nos. 2 and 3, and to have some of the undiluted mineral water analysed again, and if the result is satisfactory some suggestions could then be made as to the best means of utilising them. In conclusion, I would say that I feel confident that valuable mineral waters will yet be found in that locality, as well as in others of the South Westland rivers. And in reply to your second telegram, requesting me to visit the spring at the Waiho Eiver, which I could not undertake at the time, I would say that some twelve years ago, when visiting the St. Francis Glacier, I enjoyed a hot mineral water bath taken in a hole dug in the gravel at the edge of the Waiho Eiver, the particulars of which was that by extending the arm into the flowing river one could catch lumps of ice floating down. One of these lumps so caught I wrapped up in flannel, and actually brought a piece of it into Eoss (fifty-five miles on horseback), and in the evening our party had the unique pleasure of drinking sparkling Jura wine iced with it. I have, &c, The Hon. the Premier. C. Malfeoy. P.S.—During my stay at Mr. P. Hende's my attention was forcibly drawn to the great inconvenience in communicating with the ferryman. A traveller arrived in the evening saying that he was an hour and a half on the opposite side of the river before he could attract the attention of the ferryman, and I was informed that some travellers have had to stay all night in the cold wind and rain through being unable to make themselves heard. It occurs to me that an easy and cheap way to remedy this would be to fix an ordinary electric house-bell in every ferryman's house, with double wire'connection to a post and button on the opposite side of the river, with notice to press the button once for a man on foot, twice for man and horse, and thrice for man with horse and cart. I mentioned this to you when passing through Wellington, but for fear that, in the multitude of things you have to think of, it might slip your memory, I thought to mention it here. C. Malfeoy.

Analysis. Three Samples of Supposed Mineral Waters. All these waters, as received, were clear and sparkling. Their contents of mixed saline matters is small for mineral waters. Evaporated down each yields an alkaline residuum. Sulphuretted hydrogen was easily found in Nos. 1 and 3, but no indication of iodine in any of them. The following schedule of results proves that Nos. 1 and 3 contain a greater proportion of fixed matter than river-waters generally. No. 2, however, contains somewhat over the quantity usual for river- or common spring-water, so it has been quantitatively analysed : — Schedule of Contents of Fixed Matter. Grains per Gallon. Temperature at Spring. No. 1 ... ... ... ... . . 6-21 54° Fahr. No. 2 ... ... ... ... ... 26-47 96° to 100° „ No. 3 ... ... ... ... ... 9-92 120° to 134° „ Analysis of Solid Contents of No. 2. Chloride of sodium, with.traces of chloride of potassium ... ... 18-76 Sulphate of lime . ... ... ... ... ... I*7l Carbonate of soda ... ... ... ... ... ... 1-09 „ magnesia ... ... ... ... ... ... 0-39 lime ... ... ... ... ... ... 0-46 Silica ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... 4-08 26-47 From these results it appears that even the most saline water of the series is not likely to prove of any notable value for medicinal purposes. William Skey. Approximate Cost of Paper.— Preparation, not given; printing (1,310 copies), £1 6s.

Authority: Samuel Costall, Government Printer, Wellington.—lB93.

Price 3d.]

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