FROM AUCKLAND TO ROTORUA.

Gisborne Times, Volume VI, Issue 252, 1 November 1901, Page 3

FROM AUCKLAND TO ROTORUA.

Br J. 3. J. Pe.ngelley

It is claimed for Rotorua that it possesses sights and scenes unequalled in the world, an I as a health resort visitors are found there from every portion of the globe. People never to be found in the hub and | bustle of great centres are to be met with lin Wonderland. Having visited many of the great sights throughout Australia, naturally my impertinent curiosity led me to those regions which, by many, are designated as infernal. When at Auckland it would be absurd for the visitor to leave the marvellous sights out of his route. In taking tickets people always err and regret afterwards. The fare is | 25s return, second, or Ids (id single, so j j that there is no difference ; but the proper I | thing to do is to take a single, then on return, take, from Rotorua, a single to j Te Aroha, whore we visited the great | ■Sanatorium, thence by rail to Paeroa, and I by boat to Auckland. It is a very enjoy- ! able round trip, at a cost of only a few ! shillings extra than the return to Auckland. Well, favorable weather followed me. It was with difficulty 1 left the wife and children, for they all said it was no lit place to go to : that it would blow up : that 1 would never return : but releasing myself from them I was soon on the fast express, leaving at 9.00 a.m. The lirst ' place of importance we touch is Ngarua- | wahia, a little town on the river bank with two fashionable hotels. The meaning of the word is “ meeting of the waters,” and it is here where the two rivers, Waipa and Waikato meet. Frankton junction is reached for dinner, then we get to Hamilton, a town far smaller than Gisborne, with two daily papers. This is where the large Hospital is centred, and at Hamilton and Cambridge consumptive people are sent owing to the dryness of the atmosphere, and the surroundings being congenial to the trouble. Nothing is to be seen until reaching Hamilton of any moment, and it is here where the farming lands begin. A big stretch of country I opens up, and spanned by the wire fence. I The feed was good, cattle and shc-cp in | - the greatest of condition. Natty little homesteads dot tho plain, while the more humble Maori habitation is in evidence. We crossed the Waikato river, a frail looking bridge, with a drop into the water of 11U feet, and then for lii miles traverse a swamp, while on the hillsides of this liat water reserve could he seen the rich green carpet over miles of farm lands. Going further we pass the big sheep and cattle stations, with thousands of acres of maiden soil, beautifully sheltered and specially adapted for the lambing season. At Okoroire station I left the train in order to see the various objects of interest thero. This is purely a health resort, and the home of the sportsman. From the hotel wo enter an embryo plantation directing to the baths. The highest temperature is 110 degrees Fahr. Tho inlets of the Waihou river, on tho banks of which Okoroire is situated, simply abound with trout, while the whole surroundings for miles are draped with natural bush of great splendor and variety, native gorges and settlements, and the peaceful home of ho who would make it so. Referring to the bath, the temperature given is as hot as most people desire, and is most valuable in cases of acute rheumatism. At another bath I found a little trickling spring in the hillside hard by, which feeds this bath. A morning drink from this spring and no man would requiro either medicine or nursing. Then we next visit the Fairy or Glowworm Rath, and here is a picture, the first I had witnessed of the marvels of Nature in Wonderland. It opens up a panorama of great beauty,

such as to load one to ponder upon tho Greatness of He who directs the Universe, it is a picture of true magnificence, not a calico daub, but a work created and designed for the benefit of mankind. 'The temperature is about 100 degrees, and the water rises through a soft gravel sand at the bottom, about 6000 gallons passing through in a single hour. At night time tho spectacle is one never to he forgotten,

and in appearance extremely gorgeous, Along the banks darkness is almost made brilliant with myriads of fire-flies, and as they Hit about with their tiny lamps, one is almost inclined to believe that they have been specially designed to add to the loveliness of the landscape. Tho rich color of the water, with a background of the choicest foliage, gives a real fairy appearance to those who swim its surface.

The long flowing hair of the maiden as she passes any given spot where there is a reflection from the heavens is truly one of those marvellous sight s only to be seen in Wonderland. The other sights are purely bush scenes, bnt probably the finest fernery scenery in the world is here, lioturning next day to the train wo pass through lonely country, ascending to an elevation of 960 feet. It is similar to riding along an avenue and from the carriage windows we get a view of tho charming gorges and ravines, clothed with the choicest and richest of wildflowers, the great lily asserting her superiority over the blaze of beauty beneath her. When we got- through tho hills and descending to the level we find ourselves in a changed land. A big sea opens up to the right, bare plains, dotted with little water holes, and a considerable quantity of smoke issuing from the boiling waters. We smell the town miles off, and already

the travellers commence divesting themselves of all gold or silver substances, ere blackness sets in. We arrive at a busylittle town about the size of Gisborne, oifiy not so thickly populated. At the station one is besieged with porters from about 200 boarding-houses, vehicles of all kinds, hand-carts, and even drags. The town is flat, with some natty dwellings, wide path-

ways, two-chain roads. Tree-culture and garden ornaments catch the eye at once, and give one an impression that even if the regions be infernal there aro some good people in it. It is a true saying that natty surroundings in the direction of Nature’s work outside a dwelling tells of kindness inside. And so it was that on my arrival at Rotorua, no matter what people may say about hell being near by, I was at once convinced that even there I had met a Christian people. (To be continued.)