Centre Valley Hot Springs 



until the sun was well above the horizon and the mists 

 were beginning to disperse. 



We had slept close to the bank of the tributary 

 stream, and although it was still misty there was a 

 curious warmth in the air quite unlike anything we had 

 previously experienced on a misty morning. Having 

 lighted a fire and made the preliminary arrangements 

 for the preparation of breakfast, we went down to the 

 stream for a morning dip. On entering the water we 

 were surprised to find that it was quite warm, a thermo- 

 meter plunged in it showing a temperature of 65 

 Fahr., although that of the air was below 40. 



This difference in temperature between the water 

 and the air was quite sufficient to account for the curious 

 steamy fog which still overhung the water, and we 

 decided while eating our breakfast to ascend the tributary 

 with a view to ascertaining the cause of its abnormal 

 temperature. As we advanced along the valley we 

 found that the temperature of the water increased, and 

 it soon became evident that the stream carried the over- 

 flow of some hot spring, as no other explanation seemed 

 possible. Eventually we found ourselves in a sort of 

 basin surrounded on all sides, except that by which we 

 had entered, by steep slopes. Towards the centre of the 

 valley hung clouds of steam. On entering the hollow we 

 found its floor covered with a curious incrustation of 

 silica, in places pink, in others white, but always with 

 a beautiful opalescent appearance. The waters of the 

 stream gave off a considerable amount of steam, and 

 were so warm that we could with difficulty keep our 

 hands in them. There now appeared numerous springs 

 from which water little, if at all, below the boiling point 



245 



