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The New Zealand Railways Magazine, Volume 6, Issue 6 (December 1, 1931)
Rotomahana To-day
Rotomahana To-day.
Now—the changed scene. Rotomahana is six times its original length, it is over 500 feet deep in places, and its area is more than twenty-five times that of the old lake. Its surface is more than 140 feet higher than the level of pre-eruption days. This is due to the fact that the Kaiwaka Stream was not only blocked up by the eruption but was covered by considerably more than a hundred feet of volcanic ash and mud. Some of the water finds exit into Tarawera by subterranean channels, but it is suggested page 29 that a canal should be cut across the short isthmus to relieve the lake of some of its surplus waters. The idea is that the level should be reduced to that before the eruption. This would still leave Rotomahana more than 400 feet deep, and it would no doubt stimulate thermal action along the shores where the weight of water at present prevents full play for the many boiling springs and geysers. Most important of all, it would enable a search to be made for the lost Terraces. The man who knows more about those parts than any other living person, Mr. Alfred Warbrick, the Chief Government Guide, is strongly of the belief that the Terraces, or part of them, were not blown up and shattered in the eruption, but were covered with ash and mud and lost to view. Even the uncovering of a small portion would be a wonderful thing, of immense interest to all who visit Geyserland.
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“That ever-singing isle, through all the train Of water-birds that swarm the simmering plain.”—Domett.
Puwai Island, old Rotomahana. A sketch made in 1858, by the late Mr. S. Percy Smith.
The lowering of the water level here would without a doubt make the Rotomahana launch cruise a more thrilling trip than ever.
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“The Franz Josef Glacier, with its magnificent surroundings, forms one of the most wonderful sights in the world.”—James Mackintosh Bell.
The famous Franz Josef Glacier, Westland, New Zealand. (Reached by rail to Hokitika, thence by connecting motor services.)
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“Where the waterfall gleams like a quick fall of stars.”
The picturesque Upper Papa-o-Korito Falls, Waikare-moana, North Island, New Zealand. (Reached by rail to Rotorua or Napier, thence by connecting motor services.)
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“Here Nature floods my heart in unseizable dream.”—Robert Bridges
(Rly. Publicity photo.)
Mt. Egmont (8,260ft.) as seen from the Gardens, New Plymouth, North Island, New Zealand. (A daily express service connects Wellington with New Plymouth (251 miles) from which town the mountain is readily accessible.)
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“Escaping—uprising—now living—now dying, Now flowing—now flying, retiring—expiring.”—Joyce Jocelyn.
Thermal activities in the famous Wairakei Valley, North Island, New Zealand. (Reached by rail to Napier, Rotorua, National Park or Putaruru, thence by connecting motor services.)
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“… walled about by hills majestic—stately spires and peaks supreme.”
A glimpse of beautiful Lake Wakatipu (shewing the Remarkables in the background), South Island, New Zealand. (Reached by rail to Kingston or Cromwell).
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“The soft sunshine, and the sound Of old forests echoing round.”—Shelley.
A typical Bush Railway in New Zealand.
(Govt. Publicity photo.)
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“Delightful task … to fix The generous purpose in the glowing breast.”—Thomson.
Our Children's Gallery.—(1) Pat Harpur; (2) Zoe. Alan and Edna Berry; (3) Lois Evans; (4) Nola Peterson; (5) Russell McCrae; (6) Kevin and Maureen Smith; (7) J. McLeod; (9) Ken Anderson (all of Marton) (8) Ruth Hart (Lower Hutt); (10) Eric Pickering (Te Kuiti); (11) Jim Luff (Wanganui); (12) Rosina Pearce (Wanganui); (13) Roland McLeod (Kauri).