POHUTU GEYSER

Timaru Herald, Volume CXLV, Issue 21085, 11 July 1938, Page 6

POHUTU GEYSER

INACTIVE FOR A YEAR By Leiegrapu Fivb> assucdh ion ROTORUA. July 9. Three shots by the noted Pohutu Geyser, in the Government thermal reserve at Whakarewarcwa in May, 1937, arc the only signs of activity shown by the vent for a period of more than two years. For the last 12 months Pohutu has been to all appearances, totally dead. Many visitors and overseas tourists have expressed disappointment that Pohutu has not played during their visit, but Waikite Geyser has taken a new lease of life in the last three or lour months, thus, to a degree, compensating visitors to the reserve. The period of Pohutu s quiescence • has coincided with the outbreak of two small unnamed geysers in close proximity to the larger vent. Although it ! is impossible to state definitely that the activity of these small holes has any connection with the quietness of Pohutu, when the big geyser played in May of last year the other vents subsided. The Waikite Geyser, which was famous for its spectaculai and regular displays many years ago, has had an exceptionally long period of iesL Toward the end of March, however, the vent sent up small shots, which have been since steadily increasing in power and size. Playing on almost every ly of the week, Waikite now sends plumes of boiling water 40ft and 50ft into