THE TAUPO DISTRICT.

Hot Lakes Chronicle, Volume 4, Issue 212, 24 December 1896, Page 2

THE TAUPO DISTRICT.

The " Spa " Hotel.- ( Continued. J The Crow's Nest, having sunk into temporary quiescence we proceed in an u]) stream direction passing by various springs showing geyser action in a_ more or less marked degree. One of these is known jis the Milky Geyser oil account of the color of the water. It buVbles and' effervesces at timed in it manner which suggests the advisability of terming it the Soda and Milky Geyser in future, TVTnss of the most brilliant green maj' lie seen ill patches al?around, but close by this puia it completely covers the steep bank and stretches down | ifa sides like a cascade. Nearer the edge of tho stream is the Green Geyser the Basin of which is not unlike' that of the Rachel Spring. Numerous other ngawhas and boiling holes are close iit hand. Retracing our footsteps wo'again pass the Crow's Nest and guided by a dense cloud of steam we approach the Witches' Cauldron. This fateful spot is in a recess of the river bank and the various colored earths and mosses give'tho background a ihost striking appearance when the sun shines on it. Tho Cauldron is a large pool of furiously boiling water which is continually being fed by' a stream' flowing* from out the cliff. The geyser action is underneath the cliff and the water issues from it with a deep sonoroiis sound. A cloud of steam overhangs tho pool but when the veil is wafted aside a good view of tho Cauldron is obtainable) A strong stream of hot watet constantly flowing from tho pool to the river has formed a series of terraces and the Volume of water is fed by other springs' along it's banks. A little distance below tho Cauldron is the Flesh Pot, a mud geyser of blood red color, but changing'at times to primrose, pink, or white. Further down the river bahk is tho Venus Bath, a pellucid pool of wariii water contained in an alabaster basin formed by the precipitation of the mineral properties of the spring. It is surrounded by li rich growth of native grass and mosses and a, terrace formation

here also lends down to the river, into which the water overflows. Perhaps die most remarkable sight of all, however, is that on which the name of " Satan's Glory " has been conferred. From out a dark cavernous recess in the "lift' flows wave after wave of boiling water, which as they gurgle forth emit a sound " Like a man's laughter heard in Hell; Deep down." This devilish oachinnation seems to return and reverberate through the cavern from which it has issued. The regularity with which the waves succeed each 1 other is most remarkable. The Little Crow's Nest is another feature of interest here although it bears no resemblance to its greater namesake unless in the volume of water it occasionally shoots ap.> From a long fissure close to the river the water boils up continuously from two apertures and at times making a great display. Ascending to the higher ground we next visit the " Porridge Pots," which are after the manner of those familiar to us at Whakarewarev/a, Tikitere and Waiotapu. The mud assumes various colors, red, blue and pink predominating, and as it boils and sputters it throws the surface into the most fantastic shapes. On our return journey a slight detour was made in order to reach Big Ben or the Paddle wheel. The latter is an appropriate title, for you can hear the regular beat of a sfearner's wheels long before yon reach the edge of the crater in which it is situated. Looking down from this vantage • point to a depth of about 15ft we see the mui in great agitation, but throbbing with regular pulsations and making the noise which has suggested its name. The mud is highly charged with sulphur and has peculiar curative properties of its own. Besides the baths in the hotel grounds previously referred to there are two others accessible to visitors, each having its -own peculiar properties. We visit the Sulphur Bath first and on our way call in at the Devil's Pitcli Pot which is a. largo circular hole full of a. cream-colored composition of mud and chalk combined, with • , a black oily substance floating on the top. The smell of sulphur is strong and the oily scum is said to bo an infallible remedy for sprains. The Sulphur Bath is sit.u----i ated at the head of the hot creek. The spring which supplies it issues from a strata of sulphur in the clift" and is convoyed into a well-appointed bath-house. The temperature at the source is about 112 degrees, but this can be lowered if desired. The water is beautifully clear and of a. soft and velvety feel. At a short distance away is the Alum or A.C. Bath Imilt by the constabulary many years ago. This sprirtsr also issues from the base of a small cliff, hut the bath-house is now dismantled. It was in fact unnecessary to maintain it so fin- as the Spa is concerned as this water mixes with the Sulphur and various iron springs, and joins the creek which lends through the Spa grounds and so supplies the house baths. This concluded our peregrination of the Spa grounds. On our return to the house " the tocsin of the soul—the dinner-bell" sounded and we were soon seated in the Maori Carved Dining Ilall. An old adage says that " God sent meat and the devil sent cooks," but here a beneficent providence seems to have directed the selection of a chef da cuisine. The delicacy of the repast was on a par with the excellence of the arrangements. The hall is able to seat 100 persons and the tables are separate so that private parties or friends may have their meals in company. On one of the centre posts hangs a portrait of Lady Glasgow and her daughters with a letter from the Countess . asking Mr Josliua's, acceptance of the picture as a memento of their pleasant stay at the Spa. There is no doubt it: is a well deserved compliment. The foregoing is but an outline of the. principal objects of interest in and around the Spa. Tt would take days to thoroughly exhaust them all. but after viewing his surroundings the visitor is fei;rn to exclaim with the old writer : " Of a verity this is the spot to restore mine jaded energies. I have found the valley wherfe dwblleth the Spirit of lleposc."