THE WAIOTAPU HOTEL.

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

THE WAIOTAPU HOTEL.

Always a favorite trip with sightseers the erection of tho Hotel at Waiotapu has brought it more and more into favour witli the globetrotting fraternity ui.til the wonderful valley with its infinite variety of brilliant colouring promises to bo the sight, par excellence, of this neighbourliood. No matter what a few purblind individuals ma}'say, who for the life of them cannot either

" Find tongues in trees, books in the running brooks, Sermons in stones, —" or good in any of Natures handiwork tho trip to Waiotapu is full of interest from tho moment one gains tho highest point of the Hemo Gorge and looks back on Kotorua, and on Whakarcwarewa with its steaming geysers, until Maunga-Kalcaramea, tho of many colors, which guards tho approach to the Valo of the Forbidden Water, is reached. The roid to Waiotapu branches off tho present Taupo coach road nt the other side of tho Hemo Gorge. When the work now in progress under Mr Barron is completed, however, the route via Waiotapu will bo taken. A drivo of about 10 miles up a valley with man}'' a twist and turn and down which tumbles more than one purling brooklet, margined with graceful cabbage palms and the beautiful toitoi grass, brings us to the turn-off to j Pareheru. Tourists are usually driven over that way, either going to or returning from Waiotapu, in order to afford them a view of the devastation wrought at the time of the Eruption. From the summit of the hill one looks straight into the rift from which were ejected the torrents of ashes and mud which f-till cover the country for miles around. A good view is also obtained of the Turnwera and Hotcmahana Lakes the former being of a greyish and the latter of a darker color. To the South the Kakaramea mountain, the Waiotapi Valley and the Kaingai >u Plains towards Galatea, may be seem

I Regaining F main roatl t]l ° F-ika--"aka kaingaf passed, a village built by certain who vacated Rotokakaki at tie time of the Eruption Approaching the Rainbow mountain, which raises its cone-shaped top to i height of 2,500 ft, its marvellous coloring becomes mo l ' o an( l more emphasised till one can well understand that many au artist has given up the attempt at reproducing it on canvas [1 in despair. F° r kali a mile tht road skirts Lake Ngaewa which is a I favourite haunt of wild duck, pukeke i and black s»an. From the furthei j shore rise tlio slopes of Maunga-onga- | °nga (the mountain of nettles) or i winch are a number of hot springs The Bungalow, now in a very dilapidated condition but at one time a boon and a blessing to the weary wayfarer, marks the point at which the" Galatea Road branches off. A lake as green as emerdd may by seen from the road as the Bungalow if " left behind. A little further on a track is pointed out which loads to the Groat .Mud Crater—a cone-shaped mound abou<t 10 feet high and 20 feet across. Beaching the top of the cone with some difficulty, for the sides are • slippery, a mass of grey mud is seen •.constantly bubbling up aud bursting into all sorts of flowerdike shapes, occasionally throwing a small jet to a height of fo Ul * or five feet. Before .catching sight of the hotel a short detour brings in view the Sulphur Terrace which is simply a mass of the most gorgeous coloring. The Hotel is built on aslono of the hill overlooking the sights, of which, •from the verandah there is a magnificent view. Looking towards the east and to Aporo's whare tho delijpately tinted waters of thoChampague Pool may bo soon, and the columns of steam arising from the explosion irator and fumaroles iti its neighbourhood. Farther in the background is- the curious formation known as -the Alum Cliffs and a littlo to tho right the famous Blue Lake. These "".constitute tho merest outline of tho curious sights awaiting the visitor to this remarkable spot and to examine which in detail will occupy more days than one. Towards tho north the Rainbow hill smiles from out its variegated tints. Steam may bo seen issuing from its sides in early morn' iii'_i- and numerous hot springs issue -t'rcjni its base. Turning towards the south stretch tho Kaingaroa Plains backed by Taukara Mountain and the Kaimanawnrange, and away in the i distance tho peaks of Tongariro, Ruaipehu andNgaruhoe may bo decerned, >'on a clear day. It will thus be seen that the site chosen is in every way an admirable one. By a slight divergence, now in progress of being carried out, both tho Taupo and Galatea roads will pass the hotel. Ample bathing accommodation is provided by flip hot creel-' wJucb.-aKi-f* tho b:ck of tho section, and situated as the bouse is on high grounl there is no difficulty in regard to drainage. Tho hotel is approached from the road by a semi-circular drive of ea-y grade and the intervening ground has been planted with shrubs and ornamental trees and will be further beautified as opportunity offers. A verandah runs tho full length of tho front and is 1 >d up to by a broad flight of stops. Entering the house the hall is found to be Hit long by Bft wide with 4f; passages branching to right and left, one loading to the liar and tho other to the dining room. Tho floor is covered with bright colored oilcloth, with, an olive green matting running down tho centre. Tin; dado in the passage is of rimu, each alternate board being of dark' colored figured timber which gives tho whole a very striking effect. The ceilings are also of figured rimu, well vanished. The dining room is 31fi longby 1 Bft. 3t is lighted from the front by a largo mullion window and from the sido by two large ones. There is a dado of figured rimu and matai running round the room. The mantelpiece is made of figured miro, rimu, matai and tanekaha. The walls are papered with a pale green colored paper, and around the room are hung some very strikingoilpaintingß.The windows and fireplace are hung with white lace curtains which givo the room a cozy and pleasant look. The largo ceiling is quite a picture, it is of mottled rimu and has been well polished. The room is capable of seating about thirty guest/, and when tho table is laid out for their reception it presents a most effective appearance. The sitting room is next to tho hall and is L6ft long by 10ft wide. It is lighted by a large window looking toward* the sights and neither expense noi trouble has been spared to make the room cheerful and cozy. On tho floor is spread a soft carpet and the walls are covered with a bright lined paper; around tho room are hung 6omo very choice engravings. The mantelpiece and mautel-oval aro well polished and made from tho bes: figured timber. '1 he furniture hat been selected with taste and judg infant. The sleeping aeconimodatioi next demands attention. There an two double bedrooms, lift by lOf each, furnished with duchess suites ii polished kauri. There are also fou single bedrooms. 10ft by _ B*ft. Tin floors are covered with oil cloth, th nicely papered and the window are draped with lace curtains. At th end of the passage is the bar, fittei up with all the latest conveniences opening into the passage and the othe into the public bar. The kitchen i entered from the dining-room, and i fitted up witli everything necessar for appeasing the appetite of hungr f-ight-sec-rs. The r:mg9 is a good on Of wrought iron and fitted into a cor trete fireplace. Opening from th kitchen aro the servants' room, line

closet, &c. A store has ben- erected handy to tho main building well fitted up and stocked with a jr'od assortment of needful provisions, ;i A ninestalled stable with largo caaoh-bouse and feed-room attached art,now having the finishing touches put upon them. A gravelled pathwuf leads to tho baths, which are situa:ed on tho banks of n hot water creek,from which they aro supplied. There is an unlimited supply of soft hot filter, and the bath-houses and dressing-rooms will shortly bo erected. Messrs Steele Brothers jf tho Roto. rua were tho contractors f|r tho building and tho whole of the ;jmber used came from their mill in tho OxfordRotorua bush. Mr George Steele supervised-tho work which has been carried out to tho entire satisfaction of the proprietor Mr Jahn Falloona. Thehouso is under the manngement of Mrs and Miss Thonsou who are indefatigable in. theirefforts for tho comfort and pleasure o: their guests. We trust tlu.it a long career of prosperity is in store for tho Waiotapu Hotel.