PROGRESSIVE WAIKATO

Waikato Times, Volume 98, Issue 16087, 10 September 1924, Page 6

PROGRESSIVE WAIKATO

OKAUIA SPRINGS--A DELIGHTFUL RETREAT WORTHY OF GREATER NOTORIETY. ADDED ATTRACTION TO “HAMILTON THE BEAUTIFUL.” (By Our Special Commissioner). (No. 77.) Okauia is another of the many delightful and picturesque spots which one comes across when travelling throughout “Progressive Waikato.” Although the place is well and favourably known to folk living in the vicinity of Matamata, it is worthy of much greater notoriety. Okauia’s main attractions are the exquisite hot springs and clear sparkling waters, together with some of the most magnificent landscape paintings and mountain scenery to be had anyw7here about the “Empire’s Dairy Farm.” From a medical Jioint of view it is said that Okauia Hot Springs could well be classed amongst the best of health-giving waters, and some splendid cures have already been experienced. In addition' to its natural beauties the district' is being extensively farmed on right lines, the result being that there is, and has been, a rich return of butter-fat t During the last five years the locality has made wonderful progress as far as agricultural development is concerned. This feature Is demonstrated by the exceptionally good farms which have come into existence. There are fully vTo settlers and residents centring on Okauia, together with a number of Maoris. Several of the latter have turned their attention to farming; It is pleasing to note they pm making quite a success of it. And. this brings to mind the fact that the district under review is rich.-in. Maori tale and legend, some of the stories being of a particularly quaint nature. The hot springs are only four miles, or a. Little over, from Matamata railway station, or a two hours’’motor'journey'by road from Hamilton. With the exception of a mile or so the road is metalled for the whole distance. At present gangs of workmen are employed .in giving better means of access to'the district, and. within the next six weeks or so a splendid metal road will have been completed right to the pleasure and health-giving resort nestling under the beautiful range of mountains which, separates “Progressive Waikato" from the East Coast. Up till quite recently there had been an absence or anything in the shape c-f accommodation for visitors. This in itself has been a .great drawback, but a change is coming over the scene. An enterprising Hamilton man and his. wife have now settled In the vicinity of the springs, and an- up-to-date afternoon tea estabtablishmcnt has made a great improvement for visitors Extra accommodation is contemplated, and soon it is expected that guests and pleasure-seekers will be enabled to remain at the Springs instead of : having to seek board and lodging at Matamata. A subject which is exercising the minds of Okauia people just now is that concerning postal matters. In this connection' 7 it is proposed to discuss the topic from various points of view, especially in respect to the vexed question, of the proposed- extension of the rural mall delivery and the post-office. As far back, as 1886 the possibilities of Okauia Hot Springs being a pleasure and health-giving resort, were advocated and discussed. At (hat time 'property was owned by Mr J. C. Firth. And even for 20 years or more before that Its waters were recognised as being of great medicinal value, especially by the ancient Maoris. During the intervening yearo, although not having become famous, still the Okauia or, as they were better known, Matamata Hot Springs, have developed a certain fame which is well-known to a large number of people. The knowledge concerning them could well be likened to Topsy In- “Uncle Tom s Cabin” —it has just “growed." They have advertised themselves and a certain amount of-private enterprise has been-responsible for their limited popularity to-day. For the benefit of “Progressive Waikato” they should be more widely known. The Okauia Springs and district generally should become one of the most oharming resorts for people in search of health, and recreation. In this respect is it not reasonable to suggest that the Government and local bodies concerned should give help and assistance?

Matamata railway station, on the Auckland-Hamillon-Rotorua line, is 122 miles from the Queen City and only 36 from "Hamilton the Beautiful.” The journey between the latter place and Okauia Hot Springs (for which Matamata is the stepping-off place) takes less than two hours. To go by motor from Hamilton to Okauia occupies about 2i hours, and the drive is one of the prettiest to be had in thjs land of ours ’neath the Southern Cross. Last season motor vehicles made regular trips from Hamilton to Okauia, and it is understood that similar provision for pleasure-seekers will be made during the coming summer months. Okauia is an-ideal-picnic spot, and the range of mountains, about 1* miles away, are well worth a visit in themselves. Here are to be found some of the most magnificent waterfalls in- New Zealand, while the bush .scenery is unsurpassed. The car service between Matamata and Okauia is an excellent one and visitors to Hamilton would be well repaid by taking the early train to the Okauia stepping off place and spending, the day at this most enchanting of spots, returning to Hamilton the same evening. There is nothing to prevent very happy week-ends being spent in the vicinity when the necessary accommodation has been erected at the springs. As time goes on and Okauia Hot Springs, as well as the beauties of the surrounding country, become more generally known, it is safe to predict that quite a rush will set in during week-ends and holidays. Even now 7 car-loads of people have been known to go to Okauia from Te Aroha (22 miles away by road) ancl other places. Picnic and night parties ■from Matamata are of common occurrence, especially now 7 that the whole place is lit by 'electricity. In this article it Is proposed to devote space to a description of these remarkable hot springs, together with some references to the wondrous scenic views from the mountains. The next article will deal with the Okauia district, its mountains, farms, settlers and its rural mail controversy. Rama Roa, or tho Opal Spring.

Rama Roa, or, in English, “Long Torch or Light,” gets its Maori name from the fact that at certain times of the day the sun, shining on this magnificent healing fountain, causes it to scintillate with the most brilliant silvery lights. Truly the Maori lias well named the Opal Spring Rama Roa. It can be classed as one of the prettiest thermal springs in New Zealand. Its value is not fully appreciated. The appearance of the enclosure, lent to it by lichens, ferns and- overhanging vines, is rendered quite charming and unique. On a casual look the pellucid water presents the appearance of being only a few inches deep. In. reality "it is'Vrom 3ft to 4ft. Jm the centre of the hath —which is as 7 nature made

it—a huge trunk, of an-old.'jnalai tree rests near I he main spring. The hoi1, oni is covered with a fine crystalline sand and water-worn pebbles. From one portion of the sand-covered bottom large quantities of gas rush up lo Hie surface in sparkling bubbles. The temperature of the water varies from fio to 104 deg. How can one describe its'wonderful clearness and brilliancy? Suppose it was said that a newspaper might be read at the bottom of Hie hath, even then its clearness would only he half described. lls wonderful brilliancy, tinted with the faintest otlieral blue evidently led to its toeing named the Opal Fountain. Not more than 10 feet away the Waihou River swirls past this piece of_ Nature’s handiwork where, if you are a swimmer. you can plunge into Hie clear, cold, deep waters. A little further up the hank is another spring Hie water from which gushes out to 111! a fairly large swimming bath. Sprays of Sparkling Waters. Here the pleasure-seeker can really enjoy himself. Standing under this ••spout” you receive the Iml water :.s il rushes with amazjng force and full volume through the oponingia fool or so above your shoulders. V> ho can describe Hie' sensations which thrill >ou every instant as Hie clear, warm water dashes upon you and breaks around you into a thousand snowwhite sprays. Ten. minul.es Jhis shOjiiJ.il satisfyvynn.. ' uhjy. if*.you/ are a^sxyiijmier ' y plqj|gejraii;rUl e*sock v platfpj/n. dekvn into lh’e-iie[jhs of the river.' Half-a-dozen strokes up stream

I will satisfy you. Floating down you i make for the rocky platform. A sharp ! rub with a rough towel, a quick dress and you do not know exactly how to contain yourself, but springing up the steps with an elastic vigour new to you you feel you have had the grandest bath you pver had in your life. There are dozens of springs, hot and cold, in the vicinity on both sides of the pretty Waihou River. Here will he 1 found the Ruby Springs, Fairy Spring, Diamond Spring, Soda Spring, | and many other kinds. Near the Ruby springs gurgling out of the bank a few feet Stbo've are several cold springs. All these are as' Nature left them. A. little art and jio great expense would make charming baths of all, the cold springs supplying the necessary shower baths. An Old Maori Legend. As with most places of this sort, there is a Maori legend. It is not proposed to give the wnole story just here, but reference must be made to it when describing the Okauia district. I It is said many generations ago a big chief was on his way from Rotorua accompanied by a number of his tribe, as well as slaves. He was searching for Rama Roa. It was found, and the party immediately .-camped. For certain reasons, which will form the subject of a later special article, the chief had been ordered to immerse himself in the clear waters of the spring. He bumped against the old tree-stump j and became enraged. Orders were given for it to be removed. The party pot to work and soon had the obstruction on the bank-side. Then the [ trouble started. Immediately the spring ceased to flow and all the sparkling, transparent water disappeared. Great was the consternation caused by this happening, and the chief, his braves and his slaves hurriedly left the district and made their way back to Rotorua. Certain happenings took place there (circumstances concern- / ing which will be told later), and the chief returned and replaced the old matai trunk. As soon as the work was finished the Opal Spring flowed once more, and has been doing so till this very day. ; Othor Delightful Spots. ■Across the river is another most* charming spot containing an exceptionally large swimming bath and other pools. The owner of this property has assisted nature by planting trees, shrubs and roses all over the place, in the vicinity of the big bath there are several pretty hot pools tucked snugly away in the evergreens. Then there arc delightful camping and picnic places dotted here and there, all close and handy to the centre of attraction — Okauia Hot Springs. The noble offers abundant advantages for boating parties.-' Three or four pretty mountain streams of intensely cold water only require slocking with trout to afford’many a day’s pleasurable enjoyment to the disciples of gentle Isaac Walton. Resides these possible means of enjoyment to sportsmen there already exist pheasants, ducks of various kinds, and wood-pigeons in abundance. The soil underlying the terraces is of a strongly absorbent, character, high 11 y conducive lo health and generally' speaking il could he said that for pleasure, rest, eontenlment and healthgiving properties one would have to trnevl far to find a more congenial place than Okauia Hot Springs. As a Tourist Rosort. As a wayside stopping place for tourists il is an ideal spot. True it is off the beaten track, but what mafler. Tourists come to this land of ours to see Ihings and be shown its beauties. They do not, mind if by paying a little extra they "get the goods.” Such placs as Arapuni Gorge. Okoroirc Ret Springs and Okauia Hot, Sprin.es are an asset to Hamilton and "Progressive Waikato.” So, 100. is Wairakei and Hie upper reaches of Hie Waikato River and Lake Taupo. With regard lo the first-mentioned lliree places, they are within a‘•couple of hours of Hamilton and could quite easily he said lo tie in the suburbs of this beautiful oily in the making, on the hanks of Hie wonderful Waikato River. There is si il! an added attraction pi Hu- gorgeous, agricultural Tceijes 'and .views wliiclr are lo hr had"so close lo /-'Hajmllon the Beautiful" in the heart of “Progressive Waikato.” (To ho Continued Sept. 13).