296 



temperature of 68° 9') seems quite tasteless. Moreover, it has no outlet, tlie 

 spring wliicli feeds it being very small. 



Still advancing seven yards towards south-west, we reach lN"o. 6, a small 

 iatermittent spring, temperatui-e 102° 2', which fills a shallow basin about two 

 feet in diameter. It is also strongly impregnated with hydro-sulphnric acid. 

 In the outlet of this spring, which runs about three yards and falls into 

 another larger basin, which I shall presently describe, a white powder is 

 deposited, but of such a small extent that to collect some of it would have 

 taken more time than I had at my disposal. 



This is, as far as I am aware, the only spring where such deposits are 

 formed, which, if carefully collected, would afford us reliable information 

 concerning its mineral contents. 



The next spring, No. 7, into which the outlet of the former falls, has formed 

 a basin of a diameter of ten feet. Owing to the constant ebullition in many 

 spots over its surface, the water it contains has a muddy appearance. It is the 

 warmest of the whole series, registering 110° 5' in the centre, whilst on the 

 sides it falls to 94° Q'. It also shows the same characteristics of mineral 

 contents as the foregoing springs. Its outlet, after the course of a few yards, 

 joins the main creek. 



Crossing this swampy watercourse, and ascending on its right bank, "we 

 soon reach basin No. 8, situated thirty-five yards from the north-east corner 

 of No. 1. It is the second largest basin of the whole sei'ies, having a diameter 

 of eighteen to twenty feet. Although numerous bubbles rise in different spots 

 near its centre, so that it almost appears as if it were boiling, by which means 

 the water is kept in its turbid state, its smell is less strong, and its taste purer 

 than the former, I found the temperature in the centre 99° 7', and on the 

 sides 97° 8', consequently very little difference all over the basin. On its 

 western banks, a smaller shallow basin is attached to it, containing muddy 

 water, strongly impregnated with sulphuretted hydrogen ; temi)erature 99° 8'. 



There is no doubt that, owing to the position of the springs, the water is 

 not only greatly cooled by having to pass through a considerable thickness of 

 sand and shingle, but also from the porous nature of the ground a further 

 important dimunition in its temperature takes place by mixing with the 

 leakage and surface waters. 



This disadvantage also causes the mineral properties of the waters to be 

 much diminished. Consequently, if the springs were properly enclosed so that 

 they could rise unmixed to the surface as they issue from their rocky orifice 

 below the shingle, they would improve in quantity and quality, as well as in 

 temperature, and thus also doubtless in efi3.cacy. 



May I be allowed so suggest to the Association, the importance of having 

 these springs properly surveyed, and of having collected from each a small 

 quantity of water in well cleaned and corked bottles, to be sent to the Colonial 



