The new North-west. [volume] (Deer Lodge, Mont.) 1869-1897, 1879-01-17
The 20. Springs {. New Zealand.
From, Good Words.


The great geyser, which, we were told, has
been known to play to the height of eighty
feet, was apparently not in working order,
for, with the exception OF a succession of
vast heaves and gurgles, there was nothing
to be seen. That the Maories are not
deficient in cunning we had often been
| told, and now experienced an instance of
it. The old woman, who had hitherto
oeen walking silently iu front of US, sud-
denly stopped in narrow pass between two
boiling mud springs and demanded black
mail. Of course she was entitled to some
thing, but it was ludicrously undienifed to
be at the mercy of an old woman, at whom
we had been laughing the whole way. 1t
was too dangerous to rerrace our steps
without guide, and we could not pass her
without stepping into the boiling mud.
So we submitted, and found she was con-
tented with shilling from each of us,
skipping away like schoolgirl. after the
bargain had been completed. We now
wished to try the virtues of the sulphur
baths, and having luckily met Scandina-
Wan woman who had lately brought her
husband to the lakes to be cured of rheu-
matte fever, we Obtained clean towels and
followed her good man do wn to one of the
strongest pools. 1t was very hot and very
delicious, the strong smell of sulphur being
by no means disagreeable. 1t was very
amusing to see the Maories squatting down
solemnly in the shallow places There
were several there Of both sexes, and there
they spent great part of the day, smo-
king, if they are fortunate enough to pos
scss any tobacco, butifnot, quite contented
to sit for hours doing absolutely nothing.
Among the natives were four or five white
faces. These were visitors, come to try
the baths for various complaints. They all
professed themselves TO be immensely ben
Gifted, even after few days trial !; but
the way in which they are at present COM
pelled to live must neutralize the good ef-
fects Of the water to a great extent. The
Maories, from some hidden, probably su-
perstitious motive, refuse to allow any hab-
stations to be erected there by Europeans,
and as yet their own notions of architecture
are of the most primitive kind, A few
sticks of apple-jack and waffle, tied and
pegged to two or three upright posts, a
roof of tea-tree and rushes, and door lay
ing bare one side of the house constitute
the native warri. The boiling springs sup
ply all the needful cooking apparatus, and,
therefore, neither fire place Or chimney is
added, and though the one room is thus
saved from that sitting atmosphere Of
smoke which pervades most savage dwell
llngs, yet the floor is very damp and the
room SO draughty that a man suffering
from rheumatic fever would, under ordina-
ry circumstances, hare little chance of re-
covery. The Maofses themselves suffer
greatly from consumption, no sloubt
ssasashs.ou from their suicidal practice Of
sitting FOR hours III . pool almost at boiling
poidt, and then retiring 20 bed in one Of
-rlf9se q srap, ass nolssnuae warris. Hove
ssver. Hope b sae tae iag when the seru-
psss os4 he, iii he overeolne, aaaa
Ine patients aiiasssd Gns fsG IL ! suitable
houses Doctors viii no doubt take the
matter up some day, and 0amenintu be
the Harrogate Of our posterity.