478 Transactions. — Geology. 



Art. LVIII. — The Nuhaka Hot Springs. 



By H. Hill. 



[Read before the Haivke's Bay Philosophical Institute, 12th November, 



1894.] 



I paid a visit to these springs on Monday, the 5th November, 

 1894. They are situated about six miles from the native 

 settlement of Nuhaka, on the northern side of Hawke's Bay. 

 Tongariro and the Nuhaka springs are in the same parallel of 

 latitude. The Government have set aside a reserve of 640 

 acres, so that the springs will not fall into the hands of private 

 owners. The country in which the springs are situated is of 

 older Tertiary formation, and is similar to what one sees to the 

 north of Gisborne along the coast, where the blue clays are 

 interbedded with sandstone bands, which vary in thickness 

 from a few to as many as 15 inches. The rocks at the point 

 known as Tua Motu, to the north-east of Poverty Bay, are 

 identical in structure with those in which the hot-springs are 

 found. The springs are met with along the right bank of the 

 Tunanui Stream, a tributary of the Nuhaka Eiver, and about 

 half a mile from the public road which, when completed, will 

 bring this place into direct communication with Gisborne. 

 Between Wairoa and the springs the road is already available 

 for traffic, and, should the Government complete the road and 

 establish a sanatorium, no doubt the springs will become the re- 

 sort of numerous tourists. There are a number of hot-springs 

 available for use, and when proper baths have been provided 

 many persons will be able to use the waters without incon- 

 venience. The water is very clear, and has a temperature 

 varying from 105° to 120°. There are several basins suitable 

 for use, the natives, since the discovery of the springs, having 

 frequently brought their sick to partake of the healing waters. 

 The springs belong to what are known as the chlorinated 

 class, and contain much salt in solution. I drank somewhat 

 plentifully of the water during the time I stayed to bathe, but 

 it did not act in my case as an aperient, like the Cheltenham 

 waters, with which the Government Analyst compares that at 

 Nuhaka. The taste is not unpleasant, nor is there any un- 

 pleasantness in the water when cold, the taste being much 

 similar to what I remember of the Cheltenham water many 

 years ago. Mr. W. Skey, who has analysed the water, says 

 it contains l,723gr. per gallon of solid matter, only 22gr. 

 of which is silica. The remainder is made up principally 

 of alkaline chlorides, with a fair proportion of alkaline car- 



