H.—l3.

4

This water is clear and sparkling, has a specific gravity of 100646 at 60° Fah., and is strongly alkaline. A crystalline sediment had formed, the composition of which was —carbonate of lime 81 '21, and carbonate of magnesia, with traces of iron, 1879. The quantity of free carbonic acid and other gases present in the water as it escapes from its source cannot well be determined, except at the spring. This is therefore a very interesting water, and is an alkaline one comparing with many of the famous "Continental" waters of this class; for instance, those of A'ichy, in France, and of Fachingen (Nassau). These waters are used medicinally, especially for the cure of gravel, kidney diseases, and gout, also for acidity of the stomach, their most active agent being carbonate of soda. No. 1406 (11). —From Hot Spring, Tarawera : is a water containing a considerable amount of free acid (hydrochloric). Its principal constituent is chloride of sodium. The silica is very low, but the sodium high, in amount. No. 1406 (12). —From Mr. Parke's spring, Taupo. The most saline water of this series. It contains a large quantity of silica, and is rich in iodine.

The other samples from the springs in Hawke's Bay Province have been examined so far that their general character has been ascertained. The results will be found in the table appended. It should be stated that all these samples of mineral waters gave evidence of the presence of sulphuretted hydrogen, but, as they were enclosed in corked bottles, the quantity of this gas naturally existing in them could not be ascertained ; organic matters, such as cork, being able to generate sulphuretted hydrogen from aqueous solutions of the sulphates when in contact with them.

In the following schedule the localities of the various waters are stated, together with certain interesting particulars which have been furnished with the samples, and also their general character as adduced from results described in the foregoing table :— No. I.—Otumuheke Spring, collected Ist May, 1873. A siliceous water, more than half the solid matters present being silica; the remaining portion is principally chloride of sodium, with a notable quantity of iodides. No. 2. —Prom same locality, collected at same time: is also a siliceous water ; but, though it contains a large proportion of alkaline chlorides, it gives but slight indications of iodine. * The carbonic acid in No. 12 is that which is ia a combined form; there is, besides, a quantity of this acid ia a free state.

Acidulous Mineral Water. Alkaline Mineral Water. Chlorine, with bromine traces Iodine Sulphuric acid Silica... Carbonic acid Alumina (U.) 40 497 •714 2 150 2 221 Traces •621 1019 2 036 •492 3 681 46495 Traces (12.) 56076 1012 2-150 16-752 *35751 Iron ... Lime ... Magnesia ... "... Potash Soda ... Silica... Phosphoric acid ... 1-994 •613 5675 80710 Traces 99956 200-739

No. Salts Soluble in Acids. (Computed in Grains per Gallon). Silica. Total of Salts. Physical Character. Eeaction. Salts Soluble in Water. Loss by Ignition. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 Principally alkaline chlorides. 5-28 13-88 385 138-07 64-72 818 2412 12762 616 3 09 Principally sulphate of lime. •74 4-31 169 4-21 i-63 9 21 384 9-62 3 08 462 7-86 9 25 294 10-03 1851 15-75 2851 625 12-33 010 2-22 16-75 13-88 2744 8-48 152-31 84-86 3312 5647 143 49 2157 1391 99-95 200-73 3-47 3 08 1-54 3 09 12-97 1-52 3-24 401 4-65 308 palo yellow, clear colourless, clear a a yellow, turbid colourless, clear faintly acid. ?> j? ;> slightly acid. j> a neutral, slightly acid. it j» pale yellowcolourless, turbid „ clear very acidfaintly acid. a a