THE HOT LAKES CHRONICLE AND Tourists' Journal. WEDNESDAY, JULY 10, 1895.

Hot Lakes Chronicle, Volume 2, Issue 127, 10 July 1895, Page 2

THE HOT LAKES CHRONICLE AND Tourists' Journal. WEDNESDAY, JULY 10, 1895.

The reply made by the Minister of Labor to Mr T. MeKenzieto the effect that the Government would at the earliest opportunity have a careful analysis made by a competent expert of the curative waters which abound in this district will be viewed with satisfaction So far as those baths immediately under the control of the medical superintendent at the Sanatorium are concerned the properties of the waters are sufficiently wellknown, and their effects on certain ailments fully demonstrated. There are, however, numerous hot springs in the neighborhood of the Kuiiau, the properties of which are undetermined, save that wo are aware that the waters of the main pool contain much silicic acid and become alkaline on exposure to the atmosphere. Of these sjirings two are in popular use and rude bathing accommodation is provided. These are known as the Lobster and the Venus baths, but their exact properties are unknown, and

their reputation as remedial agents, in cases of rheumatism and so on, rests entirely on popular opinion. The notoriety which they have obtained, and tho favour with which they are regarded, are due in a great measure to the Jfact that they are open to all without fees. It is, of course, idle to suppose for a moment that these springs do not possess curative properties as well as the others in the district; we would only point out thut no proper analysis has yet been made of the waters, and no authoritative medical opinion 3-et given, as (o what ailments they are more peculiarly qualified to alleviate. Another matter which we would point out is this: the analyses hithrto obtained have in almost every instance been made at the Government Laboratory, "Wellington, and though the accuracy of the examination made is indisputable, it cannot be satisfactory unless performed on the spot. The cooling of the water, which precipitates certain solids held in solution while the liquid is hot, the escape or decomposition of certain gases with which the water is more or less charged the slightest evaporation, will, one or all, effect the result. If the Government intend, therefore, to send an expert here ho must be provided with an apparatus which will enable him to test the properties of each spring as it issues from the ground. In another column will be found the gist of a conversation between a representative of the Chroxicle and Dr Ginders, medical superintendent at tho Sanatorium, in regard to the second clause of Mr McKenzie's motion.

Till-: other day we rcoivcd from Ngapuhi, a chief of the Ngatiwhare, it report, of the meeting of the heads of tlio Xgatiwhare, Xgatimaniwa and Tuhoe tribes with the Hon. James Carrol at To Whaiti last month. The <*ist of this report has been already published in these columns but we arc indebted to Mr William Rogers for a literal translation of what is. in its entirety, a very interesting document. It purports to be, and we have little doubt is, a verbatim report of the speeches made, but apart from Lhul it is as a literary cariosity, of great value to the philologist. We shall take an early opportunity of publishing it in its entirety.