Other formats

    Adobe Portable Document Format file (facsimile images)   TEI XML file   ePub eBook file  

Connect

    mail icontwitter iconBlogspot iconrss icon

The Pamphlet Collection of Sir Robert Stout: Volume 45

Their History

Their History.

In the year 1845 a house was erected, a garden laid off, and considerable improvements effected; shortly afterwards, the Heki war broke out at the Bay of Islands, and the Natives having threatened to burn Auckland, those in charge deserted the house, which was afterwards plundered. About this time a most remarkable case is recorded, namely, that of Mr. John Sullivan, of Mahurangi Heads. He had been for months completely "doubled up" with rheumatism, when he was induced to try bathing and drinking the water, and, after two months, was completely cured. Although this happened no less than thirty-two years ago, he is still alive, hale and hearty, living within three miles of Waiwera. Another remarkable case which occurred in 1848, is that of Samuel Clare, who had been an inmate of the hospital for nine months, and, being pronounced incurable, wished to go to Waiwera to die; he was landed on the beach with two weeks' provisions, and could only crawl on his hands and knees a few yards at a time, he managed to scrape a hole in the sand, and there bathed; at the expiration of two weeks he was able to walk about the beach, and for sixteen years afterwards lived by hard work in the bush. He always declared that the Springs could effect greater cures than all the doctors put together.

About the year 1850, Mr. John Anderson took a lease of the Waiwera property for five years, and during his stay many cures were effected, amongst them being that of Mr. Thornton (of the firm of Thornton, Smith, & Firth), who came from England a complete cripple, having had to use crutches for fifteen years, after trying Wiesbaden and other famous continental springs, without deriving benefit; to the surprise of everybody, after six weeks' residence at Waiwera, he page 6 threw away his crutches, and pronounced himself as well as ever he was in his life; he walked to Auckland, a rough journey in those days, of twenty-four miles through bush country. Although this occured twenty-six years ago, he has had no relapse since.

The proprietor has lately purchased the land adjoining, including the hill on which the Springs take their rise, and, at a large expenditure, so improved the place that it must soon become as favorite a resort for the pleasure-seeker, as it is now a necessary one for the invalid. Several years ago the water was traced to its source on the hill side, but owing to local difficulties nothing further was done till about three years ago, when a drive was put into the solid rock, yielding a copious and never-failing supply of water, and at a higher level. A large reservoir has been constructed to contain water enough to fill eighteen baths, and this is constantly replenished by the natural spring out of the rock; from the reservoir the water is conveyed through three-inch pipes to the baths. A large mineral water plunge bath has also been constructed; this is supplied from a constantly flowing spring, so that the water is always hot and fresh. Independently of these baths, which are supplied by the spring in the drive, there is a beach bath, situated above ordinary high-water mark. It is intended to provide this bath with six dressing-rooms, where the bather may remain for a time wrapped in blankets, should his case require such treatment. In many cases great benefit is derived from drinking freely of the water, which has a slight saline, but not unpleasant taste, almost resembling that of warm new milk. It is customary to drink the water both before and after bathing, but many bottle and drink it cold. The temperature of the mineral water ranges from 100 to no degrees Fahr., a temperature highly approved by those who have studied therapeutics. A bath taken in the afternoon or evening is almost invariably followed by sound and refreshing sleep, and has frequently been found to succeed where sedatives and opiates have page 7 failed. Invalids, after taking the bath, experience a most exquisite feeling of renewed vigor, but should be careful not to be tempted by the delightful sensation accompanying it, and allow themselves to be too long immersed; even when this has been the case, languor soon passes away, and renewed vitality, with increased appetite, invariably follow.