PLEASANT SUNDAY RUN

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXIII, Issue 22444, 13 June 1936, Page 11 (Supplement)

PLEASANT SUNDAY RUN

WAINGARO HOT SPRINGS THREE HOURS' DRIVE A pleasant Sunday run that seems to be known to comparatively few Auckland drivers is that to Waingaro Hot Springs. The springs lie 16 miles from Ngaruwahia, and about five miles Raglan Harbour, and can be reached from Auckland in about three hours without hurrying. Turning to the right in the centre of Ngaruawahia township, the road is mostly through fairly hilly country, some fine patches of native bush being passed. Although the route is fajrly narrow and the corners are sharps the surface generally is excellent. There are many pleasant picnic spots before the springs are reached. There is a licensed hotel at the baths, it being necessary to obtain the bathouse keys from the hotel proprie- j

tor. Bathing arrangements are very crude and motorists would be well advised to take a newspaper in with them to lay their clothing on. However, revenue is probably fairly low, and it is unlikely that any improvement can be expected until the place becomes better known. The crudeness of tlie facilities is forgotten when the water is entered. The temperature can be regulated by users of the baths, there being supplies of both cold and hot water. The hot water, which bubbles up just outside the baths is very close to boiling point and is heavily mineralised. It is stated to be most beneficial in cases of rheumatism and similar complaints. There is no cold shower, but for the benefit of those feeling so inclined, there is a cold water concrete pool. The road from the springs to Raglan Harbour is gQod, but the additional run is hardly worth while, unless the weather is fine, Raglan being a rather depressing place on a dull day. As an alternative to the drive back from Waingara to Ngaruawahia, motorists can use the Raglan-Hamilton Road, which is usually; kept in good, ordec,