Native Traditions.

The Mineral Hot Springs are situated a very short distance from the Hotel, and the Baths have been erected on the beach at the foot of the hill. The curative and health-restoring properties of the waters have been known to the natives for many years; indeed, so much were they appreciated, that they came from all parts of the Island to bathe in them; and in consequence of the great benefits derived, called the Hot Springs Te Rata, "The Doctor." The native mode of bathing was to dig a large hole in the sandy beach; this hole was soon filled with hot water, in which they would sit or lie indiscriminately, and, under the invigorating influence of the waters, would talk and smoke for hours, in this primitive way availing themselves of the curative properties of the Springs. Probably there is no other part of New Zealand the natives have so much coveted, or where so many battles have been fought, as at the Waiwera. It was formerly owned by the powerful Ngatirangi tribe, who had to contend against repeated attacks by the Ngatiwhatua and Ngatipou tribes, which were made without success. The bay was protected by four fortified pahs; on the North by the Kakaha pah, 300 feet high; on the South by the Whau pah, 230 feet high; on the East by the Mahurangi, 140 feet high; and on the West by the Pitawai, 320 feet high.

The mother of the chief Te Hemera, who died about twenty years ago, at the advanced age of over 100 years, remembered Captain Cook's visit to New Zealand, and page 8 used to narrate the story of having witnessed the Thames natives eating the first soap given them by the great navigator, not knowing at the time any other use to apply it to. This Maori, who was the oldest native woman in New Zealand, saw some most wonderful cures effected, and had been herself in the habit of bathing in the mineral waters for over one hundred years, used to say, that but for them she would not have lived to half her age.