PLACE NAMES.

Press, Volume LX, Issue 17990, 6 February 1924, Page 11

PLACE NAMES.

IS i .to&" aadreSße d to J.L.W., state. the mt^ClTl° £ Canterbury lit' V h « timer£* 0f , the t^rmal ft of St t a h te -, Si »ce then K"'-e into LyJ he lo cus i n quo l&anf i ° w J ever ' ex «pt 11% : h faCt 3 he Do ' t n h ° Ught ° f IK i, gh U. Th Pr „ Earner river II" ■W Wh o the I'M th ey hart But attcr ; n ;t d /cWed to "' decide <l to

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name the place Hanmer Springs, dropping the old "Hanmer Plains." From a very reliable source, I find noted under date 1859: "Boiling springs. Mr W. Jones, of St. Leonards, Waiau, has made a discovery of hot-water. springs on Hanmer Plain at the foot of Jollie's Pass. Mr G. Duppa, who was in the district, adds further details of the springs discovered by Mr Jones about a mile from the track going to Jollie's Pass. There are seven in the space of about an acre—circular pools, full to the brim with hot water in a constant state of ebullition. The largest is 7 or 8 vards in diameter, and the smallest about 3 feet. The larger emits a sulphurous smell, and its water has an unpleasant taste. The water varies in temperature on the surface; at a depth of 5 feet it is believed to be boiling. Mr Jones had remarked to Mr Duppa it was singular they had remained undiscovered by the number of persons passing them. He believes he has been the first to discover them, and is certainly the first to make them known." From -the time the Jollie's Pass Hotel was erected for many years the springs were in' the open among the tussocks. Those who used the principal spring, at certain times found the temperature .almost, too hot. It was a common practice after a-soak in the pool to plaster"the shiny mud over the body, allowing it to dry, and brush it off with a dry tussock which imparted a velvety feeling to the skin. , I have previously heard Mr Duppa s name associated with the springs, but that gentleman, in his letter to the newspaper, ascribes their discovery to Mr Jones. Therefore the scores of patients who have left their rheumatism, lumbago, and sciatica may pour their blessings on Mr Jones-as the discoverer of the Bethesda of the South Island noted for its remarkable cures.— Yours, etc., T T tU ' ' JJj.W.