CANTEKBURY'S HOT SPRINGS.

Inangahua Times, Volume IX, Issue 1437, 29 August 1884, Page 2

CANTEKBURY'S HOT SPRINGS.

Having recently had occasion tc pass that way during one of the coldest days of this rather cold winter, I joyfully embraced the opportunity of enjoying a dip in the hot springe, and of inspecting the improvements lately completed by the Government in the laying off and utilising of those famous baths. Until quite lately only two springs were in use by the public, and they had very much the appearance oi large mud-ty water holes, especially after baring been used, the sediment being of such a light nature that one person bathing was sufficient to discolor the water for some time afterwards. Now, however, all that is changed. The springs (ten in allj have been thoroughly cleaned out and widened, the surplus discharge frond all of them being carried away in one main drain; two of them, which at-e covered in, form large tanks for the supply of the bath-house ; two are fenced in with corrugated iron for the convenience of thosa who prefer a plunge and & swim in the open; and the others were utilised as feeders of these. Having intimated to the curator that I would try his hottest brew this cold day, I was conducted to the southern side of the bath-house* wrick affords admission to the baths fed from the hotesb springs ; These usually range from |;i;5 to 120 degrees, while the western entrance conducts to baths of from 25 to '3&% degrees lower temperature. The house contains four bathrooms, lofty, well-lighted and ventilated, and each secure of the most perfect privacy. A short flight of steps leads down into the bath, which is aoout 8 feet long with plenty of room to roll about in, and may be filled to any depth up to 3ft, the process of filling one to its greatest extent only occupying about ten minutes, and requiring no gi eater exertion than the turning of the -tap. The first sensatafcion upon entering the bath in my case was that it was decidedly too warm, ie requiring several minutes of partial (very partial) submersion to gradually accustom the body to the unusual heat, buc once accustomed to it the feeling is simply delicious, and may be indulged in. without the slightest danger as long as anyone chooses. A cold shower bath completed my ablutions and prepared me for renewing my acuantance with the frost and snow without. The cold wa,ter is brought by race a distance of nearly three quarters of a mile, and, besides supplying the baths, is intended to meet the requirements of whatever house may be erected here for the accommodation of the public. Before leaving the springs I tendered my thanks to the obliging curator, Mr James Stewart, for his courtesy and readiness to afford me any information. From him I learn that the springs in crease in temperature after being cleaned out; that they are hottest after a heavy rain, and that a nor'wester redndes the temperature three or four degreea I also learn, with some surprise, that 100 persons have used the baths during the night the past month, and consider that a very good earnest of what may be expected during the summer months, now that the improvements-are completed. To conclude, we have her a sanatoiium of the very hightest value, within an easy day's journey of Christchurch, open an<i available to the general public, the only preventative to its more frequent use being tne unbridged state of the Waiau River. — Correspondent of the « Press.'