The Newtown bee., 1903-05-08

at the top, which is heavily charged
 With silica, ,fows oyer sticks and stones.
 completely covering them with a dag.
 zllng white brittle incrustation, while
 In the Wairoa Geyser basin you have a
 most wonderful and entrancing effect
 or Natures toll, unassisted by human
 hands, in producing a delicate sinter
 tracing which has taken ages to form.
 Tn the numerous geysers, the Light
 ming Pool, the Giants Cauldron. the torpedo Pool, and other weird won-
 ders, you have picture which lives in
 the memory, but they must be seen to
 be realized. Maggie had charge of
 new carved house which was attract
 ing special attention at the time of
 my visit, but which has since been
 sold' and, I believe, sent to Berlin
 (Germany) to adorn the National
 Museum there.
 1 had my luncheon that day with
 MT Nelson, the proprietor of the Gey- ser hotel, and he kindly showed me his
 magnificent collection of, Maori curios.
 With many thousands of pounds. The carved house is called Rauru. after the
 nfst carver who came to New Zealand some "A generations ago. Some of the carved figures are certainly not hand- some, according to European taste.
 put they are dedicated to the legendary heroes and heroines of New Zealand story from the Maori standpoint
 Maggie gave me the history of one or
 two of the curios. "This., she said
 picking up small image, lis Maori.
 lie was a great fishing chief, and picked up the North Island of New Zealand from the sea with a hook and line, and the help of the sun and a olrd. Maori was one of the keepers of nell; he controlled everything but death." Pointing to another figure. Maggie said: ''This is Hinemuitepo. the Queen of the Night. She was Maorl's mother, and, like him, a keep CT Of he'll. The Maoris believed that when they died they went to hell, and that H1nemuitepo looked after them. " polntlng to third figure, Maggie said: "lhls Is Whakaoti, ,rangi, the canoe or Heaven. She was the first woman who came to New Zealand t7OO years ago., and she planted the kumara. the Maori potato" ''This," pointing to fourth figure, Maggie said, 'sis 1lKl, the friend of Tutanekei, who married Hinemoa. After lunch Mag gle conducted me over the State forest, which covers several acres, and which the Government have planted at con- sloeraole cost. In the near future tourists will be able to spend many prohtable and pleasant hours under | it's shades. The wonderful variety of l roses growing there is in itself a sight | well worth seeing.
 l was anxious, however. to see the geysers playing if possible, and there were indications that my desire would | oe gratlfied. Later in the day, while Was In conversation with Mir Nelson. Maggie came rushing up to me, and exclaiming with genuine girlish glee: ''Oh: MT Murray. PohutU, Pohutu l llys." This is the crowning joy of my visit. Maggie and I run to the geysers, and there, Oh! wonder of won- ders, l am chained to the spot. and can never find language to describe the glory of the sight. The fearful por- geousness of the display deties descrir- tlon either by tongue, pen, or brush. Immense clouds of steam, then a vast column of boiling water, shooting up to height of 60 or 70 feet, the ,daz- zling brilliance of the falling crystals as large as marbles, then the spoutipg Of the little Feather geyser, and kereru or the Pigeon geyser, now joins the display of boiling waterworks, all playing at once, the underground rum bling, the quivering of the plateau by reason of this extraordinary thermal activity, the tremendous rush and roar, the rattling of the artillery in the Torpedo pool, all impress them selves on the memory as the wonder of the Wonderland. 1 stand for 40 min- ltes gazing on this great sight, and then, turning away, l say: "Oh! for junate man, l have seen Pohutu in all lis glory and strength, and can now 20 home." With this I hurried to he waiting coach, and returned to hnf al o,,l