Vernon County censor. [volume] (Viroqua, Wis.) 1865-1955, 1908-04-15

the extra engine, We begin 10 descend
towards Rotorua. II is much longer
than the ascent, the grades not being
so great, but continuous all the dis.
lance to within a couple of miles of
destination. We soon gain a very
great Roadway and raise such a dust
that it is difficult TO see or breathe
and when the passengers arrive it is
hard to tell what kind of clothes they
have on.
We are now in the geographical
| center of the hot lake region or the
/ thermal district which lies in the
/ heart of the North island OF New
Zealand. This region of thermal won
ders and health-giving waters, with
its beautiful lakes and its giant old
craters. is unique; and the citizens of
the country assert that t is entitled to
be called the worlds greatest pleasure
ground, for, they say, 1t is question
able whether in any other country
there can be found any similar area
possessing so many attractions,
beauties and wonders, or one which
is so admirably adapted by nature for
mans recreation and enjoyment. Be
that as it may, nature has certainly
planned this great pleasure ground on
magnificent scale. IL spreads over
more than thousand square
miles. In form it is a vast elevated
plateau; but the plateau has its own
hill ranges, its fantastic peaks. its
open plains and its stately mountains
Rotarua is the geographical center of
this region, because in the first place
1t has railway and road communica
tion with the northern towns and sea
ports, and in the second place because
/ possesses in itself and its immedi-
ate surroundings enough marvels and
attractions to satisfy the average
sightseer. The city has a resident
population OF about 1000 and a float
ing population of about the same
amount 1t has four hotels (pubsl
and forty-six boarding houses. 1t is
state-owned and state-managed. 1t
has broad streets, all set with shade
trees, wide sidewalks and bicvcle
tracks. The state has provided it
with electric lighting, with a magnifi.
cent water service, with a compre-
hensive drainage scheme, with well
kept public gardens and abundant re-
creation grounds. The inhabitants
pay no direct taxes except to support
the fire company and the library. No
land is sold outright but all is held
under lease from the state, some lots
as low as $40 per year, and all with
out compensation. Water costs the
householder SO per year, or if bv
meter 81 cents per 1000 gallons. Elec.
trio light is supplied at 16 cents per
unit with % per cent. rebate and is
OF very poor quality. 1t is generated
at some falls II miles distant The
government has established a well
appointed sanitarium and many bath
houses. These latter will be yuppli.
mented by new, modern, up to date
structures, now about finished. cost.
ing over $50, 100.
The city is located on the shore of
Lake Rotorua Dreaming in English
grave lake,, the largest of a chain of
four. The lake has a. area of 80
square miles, greatest depth, "a feet,
and is 915 feet above the sea. Nearly
in the center is an island rising to
the height of 400 feet, which was used
in ancient times by the natives as a
burying ground. 1t is called Mokoia
and is very celebrated in Maori his
tory and legend To this island. the
residence of her lover, the beautiful
Hine-Moa swan in the night. This
wohleregion was inhabited by thou
SANDS Of native Maoris before the
white man came, and they are numer-
Gus hereabouts yet, occupying a large
tract joining the city, and another
about two miles distant More about
these later on. The outlet of this lake
Is about a mile long, averaging. |
should say, 100 feet wide and carries
a considerable volume of water. It
is very crooked, has low banks, and is
navigated by all but the largest
launches used on the lakes. 1t emp
ties into Lake Rotoiti (small lake,,
the smallest of them and is not con.
nected with the other two, bein! sep
arated by a high range of hills about
two miles wide. 1t, however, empties
into the last one, Rotoma (clean lake)
with which it is closely connected.
The first day | devoted to making
myself acquainted with the city and
noting the location of the chief attrac-
tons within its borders. The night
before l was awakened from a sound
sleep by an earthquake shock that
caused things to rattle in the house
Had aeotehr one in the omrning about
$50 a. m. The principal attraction is
me sanitarium grounds, which are ex-
tensive, comprising 200 acres. beautf-
/ fully laid out and well kept. The walks
and drives are all fine, white pumice
and while it makes the contrast he
tween them and the green Of the lawns
all the more pronounced, IT is trying
TO the eyes when the sun shines
/ There are six tennis courts. and
these are nearly always filed with
players. There is space for II
lowing Kinks. and the rinks are
always occupied, and there are the
croquet lawns well filled. In the midst
of these grounds is a kiosk with wide
verandas where they dispense music
! from a fine qfrfuo hand ana - -,.hs.t,