Local author traces life of engineer who created geysers in city (+ video)

A local author has launched a new book that gives an insight into the life of a largely forgotten Rotorua engineer.

Phil Andrews' Gold and Geysers is a biography of gold miner and engineer Camille Malfroy, who created three artificial geysers in the Government Gardens late last century.

More than 20 years ago Andrews wrote an entry on Mr Malfroy for volume two of the Dictionary of New Zealand Biography.

Then last year, he thought he should follow it up and complete a full length study of French-born Mr Malfroy's life.

Mr Malfroy was a gold miner who came to New Zealand around 1863, after some years on the Victorian goldfields with his father and older brother. Mr Malfroy and his brother were self-taught engineers.

He was the first mayor of Ross.

After 20 years in the South Island Mr Malfroy wanted to see Rotorua and its thermal areas, so he moved north after being appointed the supervisor of the water supply to the new township, immediately after the June 1886 eruption of Mt Tarawera.

In 1890 he created three artificial geysers in the Government Gardens, with one called Victoria for the Queen, one called Nelly for his wife and one called May after his adopted daughter.

Today, there is a bust of Mr Malfroy and a special fence where the geysers used to be.

Andrews said it had been hard to track down items connected with Mr Malfroy, with the book taking him about a year and a half to write.

He said he had some material from the research he had done about 20 years ago and a lot of information was available in past papers such as the West Coast Times in Ross and Hot Lakes Chronicle in Rotorua.

"Malfroy was immensely important in the development of this place as a spa town."

Andrews said it was exciting to have his new book launched in the Galleria at the Rotorua Lakes Council today.

"It's a largely forgotten part of Rotorua's history and when people walk in the Government Gardens I thought the book will help explain who that bust is."

He said he really enjoyed New Zealand history.

"It's like digging for treasure researching and finding material. I enjoy researching and shaping up the material for a book."

Gold and Geysers will be available from McLeod's Booksellers.