Art. LVIII.—The Nuhaka Hot Springs.

Transactions and Proceedings of the Royal Society of New Zealand, Volume 27, 1894, Page 478

Art. LVIII.—The Nuhaka Hot Springs. By H. Hill. [Read before the Hawke's Bay Philosophical Institute, 12th November, 1894.] I Paid a visit to these springs on Monday, the 5th November, 1894. They are situated about six miles from the native settlement of Nuhaka, on the northern side of Hawke's Bay. Tongariro and the Nuhaka springs are in the same parallel of latitude. The Government have set aside a reserve of 640 acres, so that the springs will not fall into the hands of private owners. The country in which the springs are situated is of older Tertiary formation, and is similar to what one sees to the north of Gisborne along the coast, where the blue clays are interbedded with sandstone bands, which vary in thickness from a few to as many as 15 inches. The rocks at the point known as Tua Motu, to the north-east of Poverty Bay, are identical in structure with those in which the hot-springs are found. The springs are met with along the right bank of the Tunanui Stream, a tributary of the Nuhaka River, and about half a mile from the public road which, when completed, will bring this place into direct communication with Gisborne. Between Wairoa and the springs the road is already available for traffic, and, should the Government complete the road and establish a sanatorium, no doubt the springs will become the resort of numerous tourists. There are a number of hot-springs available for use, and when proper baths have been provided many persons will be able to use the waters without inconvenience. The water is very clear, and has a temperature varying from 105° to 120°. There are several basins suitable for use, the natives, since the discovery of the springs, having frequently brought their sick to partake of the healing waters. The springs belong to what are known as the chlorinated class, and contain much salt in solution. I drank somewhat plentifully of the water during the time I stayed to bathe, but it did not act in my case as an aperient, like the Cheltenham waters, with which the Government Analyst compares that at Nuhaka. The taste is not unpleasant, nor is there any unpleasantness in the water when cold, the taste being much similar to what I remember of the Cheltenham water many years ago. Mr. W. Skey, who has analysed the water, says it contains 1,723gr. per gallon of solid matter, only 22gr. of which is silica. The remainder is made up principally of alkaline chlorides, with a fair proportion of alkaline car-

bonates. The water is rich in iodine, and belongs to what is known as the alkaline chlorinated group. It should prove a valuable mineral water, as it resembles Wiesbaden, also that of Harrogate and Cheltenham, but is more highly charged with salt than they are, its specific gravity being equal to that of sea-water. It will thus be seen that the Government Analyst places the Nuhaka springs among an important and valuable class of mineral waters; and there can be no doubt that in kidney, liver, and cognate complaints the springs will prove of high public value. Many cases might be cited where the springs have proved highly effective; and it was with the view of bringing them under public notice that I lately visited them. Distances: Wairoa to springs, twenty-six miles; Nuhaka to springs, six miles; Gisborne to springs, forty miles.