THE HOT LAKES DISTRICT, X KW ZEALAND. 



137 



rate, I will leave it to more competent heads than mme to fit 

 square facts into round theories. 



The artificial method of interfering with a geyser's play is to 

 " soap " it. I am not aware that this habit of soaping geysers 

 is crenerally known in England. The " Great AVairoa Gevser " 

 at Whakarewarewa is situated perhaps 10 or 20 yards from 

 " Pohutu," and for some reason or other has ceased to play 

 naturally. Some say it is only since the railway was made : 

 but as the railway is some distance off, I can see no reason for 

 holding it accountable. The apparently worn-out geyser is, 

 therefore, soaped occasionally. That is to say, several bars of 

 soap are thrown into its mouth, forming a crust as they melt 

 which keeps in the heat for some minutes (say eight or ten) after 

 which the accumulated heat gathers sutiicient strength to burst 

 through the soap, and the geyser ejects its contents about 80 

 feet high. " Pohutu,'"' however, from its natural formation does 

 not lend itself to l»eing soaped. But it is (|uite possible that 

 soaping tlie Great Wairoa " may materially interfere witli the 

 behaviour of Pohutu." I may say that the soaping of the 

 geyser is only allowed to be performed by the Government 

 Officials, under whose supervision the}' are placed. 



Explosive geysers are very well represented in the Wairakei 

 Valley. The " Great "Wairakei Geyser,"' which may be taken 

 as a type, has a deep, funnel-shaped basin. After a short 

 period of rest, the water rises rapidly with a deep, gurgling- 

 roar, then the contents surge up in steaming waves. This is 

 followed by a powerful upheaval, in the form of a dome, of the 

 whole contents of the basin. Erom this mass, when relieved 

 from tension, there suddenly flashes in various directions 

 explosive outbursts of steam and spray. After this violent 

 display of energy, the water sinks once more into the basin, oi* 

 perhaps is withdrawn into the tube, to repeat the same 

 phenomena after an interval of six or eight minutes. 



This description is quoted from the same authority, Mr. 

 Martin: my own acquaintance with the wonderful Wairakei 

 Valley having been made in one morning, I may perhaps be 

 excused for coming away somewhat dazed aud bewildered, and 

 with but a confused idea of all I had seen. 



I have, however, a very clear recollection of the Champagne 

 Cauldron." 'We descended to it by steps in a rock, and still 

 further below us was a circular basin, about 70 feet across, and 

 in perpetual ebullition. The guide took me to a ledge of rock 

 overhanging the basin, where we seated ourselves and waited 

 events. Presently, we felt a rhythmical tapping and throbbiu"- 



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