WAIWERA HOT SPRINGS.

New Zealand Graphic, Volume XX, Issue V, 29 January 1898, Page 129

WAIWERA HOT SPRINGS.

INCE the opening of the railway ’ to Rotorua the hot springs arid sanatorium at Waiwera have been somewhat neglected by visitors. However. under the present new management, no doubt Waiwera will boom again. Messrs Patterson and Co., the well-known 'bus proprietors, have bought the large hotel ami surrounding grounds. including the hot springs, at Waiwera. and Mr T. C. I rquhart has entered into occupation as licensee. Mr and Mrs Urquhart are very well and favourably known to the travelling public from their former connection with the Imperial Hotel in Auckland, the Okoroire Hotel and the Lake House at Rotorua. Both host and hostess thoroughly understand the management of large hotels and have a genial knack of making their guests feel at home, which in a great measure accounts for their popularity. The hotel and bath-houses are to be thoroughly renovated, and in all respects the sanatorium is to be put into thoroughly up-to-date condition. Few prettier spots are to be found in the neighbourhood of Auckland than Waiwera. Enclosed by beau-bush-covered hills, with a’ splendid beach on the seaward side, and the picturesque Mahurangi Rock in the immediate foreground, the secluded little bay of Waiwera is indeed an idyllic place for a few days’ retreat front the cares and worries of town life. Boating, fishing, and fern-hunt-ing in the bush are some of the favourite diversions of visitors, while for those in search of health the hot springs usually prove a panacea. Indeed, for those who are in good health and who are not suffering from the aches and pains of rheumatism or sciatica, the alkaline and soda waters which issue from under the side of the steep cliff on the southern side are very soothing and pleasing- to tin senses after a day's picnicing. Waiwera now bids fair to again rival some of the newer health-resorts in the Auckland district, and the fact that the place is beginning to again take the place it deserves in the list of watering - places and sanatoria is shown by the fact that at the beginning of this week there were no less than fifty visitors staying in the hotel, while the adjoining cottages were all filled with holiday sojourners.