A VISIT TO THE WHAINGAROA HOT SPRINGS NEAR RAGLAN.

Waikato Times, Volume XXVI, Issue 2117, 2 February 1886, Page 2

A VISIT TO THE WHAINGAROA HOT SPRINGS NEAR RAGLAN.

On Monday, the 25th ult., a party consisting of Messrs Cogswell (3), Wilbon, Pickering, King, and McDonald accompanied by Mr T. B. Hill, who was inquest of a suitable block of land on which to lorate some settlers, proceeded as far as the Whaingaroa Hot Springs, which were reached about 11 a. in. All enjoyed tho luxury of a hot bath, and with appetites sharpened by their ride, did full justice to an al fresco lunch, after which Messrs Cogswell (2), Hill, Wilson and McDonald, leaving the others in charge of camp and horses, started for the top of Pung.i Whakatiki, from which a splendid view of thesurrounding country can be obtained, but unfortunately, the haziness of the atmosphere prevented the party enjoying it. After spending some time overlooking thecountry, which is a broken one, and catching a wild pig, the party returned to camp, which was reached about dusk, whore they indulged in another hok bath, which thorough)}' removed all traces of fatigue. The billy having been boiled, and part of the pig roasted on a stick over the fire, supper was eaten and fires lit for the night, but that public singer, the mosquito, who always "draws," but does not give satisfaction, was as usual übiquitous, and often disturbed the slumbering party. Next morning at daybreak all were astir, and again enjoyed the hot baths. Messrs Hill, Wilson, Pickering, King, and McDonald, after breakfasting, started to look at the Te Aka tera block. On riding about four miles the hor.-.es were tethered, and the pirty walked for two or three miles through the fern and bu«.)i, where from a hill a good view of the block was obtained, and urouounced by all to be in everyway suitable for the occupation (if settlers, the land being of good quality, chiefly limestone formation, and gently undulating. Mr Hill was then accompanied as far the junction of the Te Ak.iu with the Huntly road, when ram beg.iv to fall, Mr Hill going towards Huntly and the party returning to the Hot Spungs which were re iched thr >iuh a continuous downpour. Anoth'i liotb.ith w.iB of course taken, then boot and saddle, and home was the cry. I will now endeavour to de«cribe the Hot Springs. First as to their locality. Situated on the banks of ttie Whaingaroa river they c m be re.iched by boat from the town of X igl.m ci glit miles and four miles of road, while by mad alone the distance is about 20 mile^. The springs are numerous, tlio bed of the river being in some places so hot that the feet in standing require to he removed pretty quickly. There are two \eiy large ones, which pour out steady sti earns of mineral water from 158° to IGO' Fahrenheit, heating the river itself for some considerable distance. The water from one of these can be turned into a bath out out of the blue schist, and requires tempering with cold water from the river. There is another bath which is reached by a very rustic bridge of pungasand small saplings, in which one could lie and dream his life away so agreeable is the temperature. And another was opened by the Messrs Cogswell, jun., on Tuesday morning, which was tried by your correspondent, but found too hot, and I am informed that in the bush on the north side of the river, any number can be opened which can all be easily tempered to the heat required by cold water within easy reach. Your correspondent put a shilling in one of the springs, and in a few minutes it was as black as a nigger's face, so that there is every reason to believe they are strongly impregnated with sulphur. The Maoris have great faith in them for the cure of outnneous diseases and for rheumatism, relating many wonderful cures from their use. All that is wanted to make them n great public re&ort is an accommodation house or two, at which provender for man and beast could be obtained. The Whaingaroa Road Board has applied for 2000 acres around the springs to be made inalienable as an education reserve. If that were done no doubt some enterprising individual would soon be found to lease, and bring them into notoriety. The road which has been laid off and is an easy grade should also be taken in hand by the Government and completed. If that wej-e done the day would n°t be far distant when visitors from every clime would try the healing virtues of the springs, and from repute would not leave them without satisfactory results. Arrangements have been made by which the constituent parts of the waters are to be proved by analysis.— (Correspondent.)

Friibie Fires in Dakotv. — The lon °r perioi of drought in northern Dakota has been followed by prairie fires of great extent and severity, causing not only grent loss of grass, bat of grain and barns, The fire is described as appearing like moving wnlls of flunei, extending along for Miles.