THE MARUIA SPRINGS.

Colonist, Volume L, Issue 12159, 6 February 1908, Page 5 (Supplement)

THE MARUIA SPRINGS.

VISITED FROM HANMER. ' A ROUGH TRIP. During the Christmas holidays^ party of Obristchurcb residents made a trip to the Maruia hot springs, on tbe dividing line between the provinces of Nelson and Canterbury. "Tbe party (says 'The Dominion') left Hanrner on Christmas Eve, and went via St. .James' Station to Ada Station.Fourteen miles from Hanmer they travelled by road, but after that they travelled by bridle track." According to the published account, the latter portion of the trip was very rough. Of tbe track there were only traces met with here and there. The pack horse slipped, whilst ascending the abrupt side of a small ravine, and turned a couple of somersaults before his downward progress was stopped by a stump. Some parts of the route, were so steep tbat the travellers had to dismount; and ascend like monkeys by their hands and feet, though the station horses, being used to such rough countryi negotiated it with l»ss difficulty. In Cannibal Gorge they met with a shingle slip which completely blocked the track. With the aid of sticks they managed to make a pas* sage over which the horses were able to go. Further on they came to a place where the road, had .been washed away and here they had to build up the track so that they could pass over.. A few days were spent at the springs, and the party were greatly interested in them. It is said that they are building up a replica of the one time wondrous -White and Pink Terraces that were so great an attraction of Lake Botomahan a prior to the eruption of Tarawera in 1880. As a tourist, resort, tbe party formed the very high opinion that for magnificent scenery Cannibal Gorge excels either the Otira Gorge or the Manawatu Gorge. If the scenic beauty of the trip were better known they thought tbat very many would visit the springs. The springs can also be reached comfortably from Murchi3on and Reef ton. They are distant about fifty miles from Murchison (which is connected with Nelson by coach service) and the journey is said to be most interesting. There is a good road from Murchison for tho n'rst eighteen miles, and after tbat to Mr John Thomson's homestead a (Sfbod dray road has been formed. From t Thomson's to Walker's Station a road is. being made, but a good bridle track is available from there to the Alfred river, and then on to the springs. With a good horse the journey can be made from Murchisou • / in one day.