THE OKOROIRE HOTEL AND SANATORIUM.

Hot Lakes Chronicle, Volume 5, Issue 220, 20 February 1897, Page 4

THE OKOROIRE HOTEL AND SANATORIUM.

Jt is becoming more and more tho vogue with travellers between Auckland and Botorua to break the journey by a stay at Okoroire, and the reason for tliis is not far to seek, We question if a more comfortable abiding place, either for the invalid or her who is only on pleasure bent, more luxurious l«wt! ~ or better cooked viands could be found throughout the length and breadth of these' islands. Tho whole surroundings of the twin establishments the Hotel and Sanatorium—are of tho most picturesque character'and of these and other feature!! we propose to give' a short description. The Hotel and its adjuncts, which are under tho management of Mr L. Callaghan aro situated on an elevated plateau about 150 feet abovo the Waihou river which bounds tho properly. The impetuous stream referred to and its affluent the Waimakariri are favorite resorts for the disciples of old Izak Walton and from its waters tho most luscious rainbow trout weighing up to Gibs aro taken. The average weight, however maybe set down at from 3 to 4lbs but of 2 jibs are no rare occurrence.

It was of the interior arrangements of the premises that we first intended to speak,, however. About 50 bedrooms are ivailable for guests and these aro most luxuriously fitted up. Tho sitting-rooms, of which there are several, appeal favorably to the tired traveller, whilst the drawing-room by the arrangement of the pretty knick-knacks shows that a refined taste has been at work. Mrs Callaghan and her daughters supervise tho whole of the domestic arrangements and to these ladies the credit is due. A post office is in connection with tho hotel and there is telephonic communication with the nearest Telegraph office. Tho billiard room and public bar art far removed from the sleeping quarters of the guests. The former is a spacious, lofty and welllighted apartment containing a very fine table by one of tho best English makers. On tho opposite side of tho street (for it is a minature village we aro describing) is the" general store. It is a large building with two show windows and is stocked in the conventional manner of such establishments. Anything can be procured here from a stay-lace to a side-saddle. Proceeding up the street we come to the blacksmith's shop, which is furnished with every necessary appliance. A "Son of Vulcan " visits the place once a week but for any ordinary work one of Mr Callaghnn's lads is fully competent. Proceeding further on we como to the stables, harness and feed rooms, butcher's shop and other offices. Fronting the stables and between the Hotel and the cottage or Sanatorium are tho fruit and vegetable gardens. Hero, every variety of vegetable we could think of, ranging from Jerusalem artichokes and asparagus to broccoli and seaknle, was shown us. The crops of melons, both rock and water,

pumpkins and vegetable marrow weie something marvellous. We have seen ii few pumpkins and eaten a few but it was for Sir Callaghan to show us the largest specimen we had yet set our eyes on, The gardens and orchards comprise fully 2 acres and another orchard of half an acie near the river is in process of being planted. The rest of the 70 acres surrounding the hotel is laid down in glass?as there is a considerable number of horses, cattle and sheep to be provided for. In front of the main entrance is the pate leading to the baths. The descent, like that to Avernus, is an easy one. but it is to a Paradise we are wending oar way along the nicely graded path. Passing by tiie recently constructed lawn tennis ground and the incipient plantation of oaks, plane-trees, &c which Mr Callaghan has planted and which promises great things in the future, we branch off to the left in order to gain a view of the rapidly flowing Waihou river. The hank is fringed with willows and other shrubs while here and there the graceful cabbage palm in clumps or singly add to the beauty of the picture. Proceeding upstream we come to another orchard of half an acre, which is in process of being laid out, and then by a swin<r bridge we cross the river. This bridge l which has been constructed on a novel but perfectly safe principle saves fishermen desirous of whipping the waters of the Waikamariri a considerable detour. As one of the many attractions of Okoroire is the splendid fishing which may be obtained Mr Callaghan has gone to considerable trouble in clearing the banks of both streamssoastogiveanglerso good footway The Acclimatisation Society assisted in this but as its funds are no longer available for the purpose and much remains to be done, a subscription list was opened to carry on the good work, and this has been liberally responded to by those who regularly visit Okoroire with rod and gun. Retracing our steps we come to where' the broad-bosomed stream is pent up between steep and rock-bound banks nnd the velocity of the current is thereby increased a hundredfold. Between these narrow walls it roars and rushes, ever plunging downwards with giant leaps, till the Canoe Rapids are reached. Here, until the other day, an old Maori canoe was submerged. It had been there for a period beyond the memory of the oldest inhabitant either Maori or European and" in regard to it many a curious legend has been woven. One of these is to theeffect that an old chief, whose temper had grown uncertain with advancing years and whose popularity had correspondingly declined, was dared bv one of his tribe to shoot this rapid. Tin; fearless old rangatira essayed to do so with eight [licked men to ply the paddles. They same to grief however at the point, indicated—the chief and his followers were ill drowned or battered to death against the rocks and (lie capsized canoe remained to give a vraiserpllance to the legend until last Anniversary Day when the heavy Hoods swept it from its position., We :iope Mr Callaghan will be able to recover ho old relic as it. would form a Treat attraction to the hotel grounds. Below the Canoe Rapids the water boils md churns furiously in a manner almost ndescribable till with a mighty shock it, ! orees its way through the natural bridge, md again widens out into abroad stream lancing and sparkling m if rejoicing )ver its escape. (To he continued'^