The Newtown bee., 1903-05-01

be obtained of Mo upt 1arawera. Oul
 driver took us just little distance
 from the coach road to Mt Pareheru,
 from where we got magnificent view
 but the most comprehensive and pan.
 oramic view of the Tarawera eruption
 is from Mt Maunga-Ka aharamea. This
 name is terrible enough in all con-
 science, but you love that as you gaze
 on all the magnificent desolation
 stretching out before you. Here a
 track leads to an old pah Ia Maori
 port) and an old police barracks
 (station) at Kaiteriria, beautifully sit
 uated on the shore of Lake Rotokaka- hi, which was abandoned by the natives
 after the eruption.
 The next point of interest was
 Earthquake Flat, where about 100
 acres of land have subsided to depth
 of about 10 feet, and where there are
 numerous cracks, the result of the
 earthquake, hence the name. This is
 ~NONs A"2 AAlASo II oLl hOUOIut. OIlOW-
 ing the old road to Rotomahana, the
 site of the Pink and White Terraces,
 the top of the hill is soon reached. and.
 looking to the northeast, Tarawera,
 with it's enormous chasm and desOla-
 tion, is before one. (Tarawera is now split at the brow, but it was all one
 previous to the eruption) Eastward
 and southward stands Mt Kakaramea,
 like sentinel guarding the entrance of this strange region. Far away to the east are the Kainzoroa Plains
 and, beyond, the Urewera (Tuhoe) country. Descending to the main road one can see at the foot of Mt Kakara- mea an immense crater, the sides of
 which may be noticed for miles cover- ed with many colored earths, or a
 burnt clay formation of myriad hues,
 while here and there puffs of white steam are issuing, giving it a peculiar distinction. On entering the Valley or WaiOtapu: beautiful contrast to Kakaramea is to be seen, for lying at it's base are the cool blue waters of Lake Nyahewa, and the placid green sheet of Lake Rotowherowhero, and here one almost seems to taste the strong acid flavor of the waters, and scent the sulphur flames of this won- derful district. There are many springs at Waiotapu, but the district is calmly beautiful compared with Tikitere. Upon reaching Waiotapu we stopped at the hotel there in order to partake of dinner and to give our horses food and much needed rest, after which an old Maori, named Aporo, crafty and cunning old fellow (since deceased) appeared to act as our guide in showing us the sights of the district. The place belongs to the Maoris, and Aporo was chief of the local tribe. We first visited the Black Lake, treacherous looking body of water, it being covered with thick scum, and at boiling heat. Then we reached the Sulphur Blow Hole, which IS really sulphur volcano. Next we came to the Paddl wheel Blow He another boiling spring, which takes US name from the fact that under heaCn you can hear the action of ths, steam with all the regularity of q paddle wheel. Then came | the Devils Bridge, which is one of the 1 results of the eruption. 1t overIooks q cold lake, and 10 yards from it there is what is called Waiwera spring | which means hot water. Then we pass q piece of silica formation, but which i IS really miniature terrace. Aporo then wakes up with "Now, ladies and gentlemen, l show you Champagne Pool" This is large sheet of hot water with greenish yellow hue, and looks acid in the extreme. Aporo has an old spade at hand, and he thrusts it into heap of soil, and throws some of the latter into the water, with the result that you have the tizzing of the champagne. It is really wonderful the effervescence which follows the act of throwing the soil into the water. Next our attention is directed to the Green and Yellow Pools, which are about F yards apart, and the color of | the water is so distinct. Here we use / our field glasses, and see Mt Ruapehu, and kingly, while in the same vicinity, as if to mock the purity )f Ruapehu's garment of white, there stands Mt Ngarohue, an active volca- lO belchinp forth ifs h1acknaSS and