THE WAIOTAPU VALLEY.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXVI, Issue 9255, 8 January 1889, Page 6

THE WAIOTAPU VALLEY.

[BY TELEGRAPH.—OWN , CORRESPONDED.] Rotorua, Monday. Mr. Gordon, Government Mining Engineer, with Mr. Blyth, .passed through the Bungalow, Waiotapu Valley, on Wednesday last, presumably with the intention of inspecting the route already planned and partly made through this interesting valley, connecting it with Wairakei and Taupo, and thence to Napier. This line of road, when completed, will prove of great value to this part of the North Island, as ifc will enable tourists to view all the thermal wonders in a more direct course, and in a much shorter time. The completion of the few miles of road (some five or Bix) between Maungakakaramea and the Galatea Plains would also be of great value, as it would connect the Galatea runs and stations with Rotorua, a convenient route for stockdrivers in taking sheep or cattle to the railway station at Oxford. A mob of several thousand from Whakatane passed Scott's Bungalow only the other day, and the drivers commented very favourably on the route, although the few miles already mentioned remain broken and unmade. Mr. Waley, schoolmaster of Galatea, brought his wife and family through to Rotorua in a buggy to spend their Christmas, so the engineering difficulties cannot be very great. Much more interest is exhibited by touriste this season in the beauties of the Waiotapu Valley. Many of those who have been here have visited all parts of the world, and have seen volcanos and thermal wonders almost to satiety, still they give the palm to this district generally, and leave highly delighted. The Pareheru track to Rotomahana basin is being pushed on by Mr. McIntosh. The men at work thereon suffer much from the excessive heat, the glare from the white volcanic mud being very distressing.