REMARKABLE LIMESTONE CAVE NEAR MASTERTON.

Ashburton Guardian, Volume IV, Issue 1007, 23 November 1883, Page 2

REMARKABLE LIMESTONE CAVE NEAR MASTERTON.

A discovery of considerable interest has been made, in the heart, of the dense forest, about 17 miles from Masterton, in the shape of a subterranean passage extending about ; 462 feet through a solid limestone ridge, 'ihe cavern performs the functions of an immense culvert, not the least peculiar feature of which is that the water, drained from an extensive area of country, disappears below the surface of the ground at the upper entrance to the cave, and re-appears above the surface again about 132 yards below the lower extremity, while the floor of the cavern, except in time of heavy rainfall, is perfectly dry. The floor throughout averages fifteen feet in width, andthp walls, abounding in crevices or fissures, taper like the internal section of a hollow cone to a height of about 25 to 30ft. The upper portion of the underground passage for about half its length is formed of the softer limestone, and the lower portion of harder limestone. This portion of the cave presents a truly wonderful picture. L ng vaults on either side reveal a weird-like succession of beautiful alabaster grottoes, fringed and drape i with every description of fantastic ornament. On every side rise massive columns covered with calcareous incrustadons, and overlapping of limestone, the result of the waters filtering through thei- porous roek or trickling through the fissures, becoming charged .with carbonate iof lime and then evaporating. Beautifully formed stalactites hang like crystal pendants from every crag, and : lustrous ' petrifactions, operating like reflectors, remind one of the fairy caves in a splendid pantomime. The roof in places resembles the inside of a refrigerating chamber, from which are suspended sides and hams” of carbonised pork or mutton, made radiant by myriads of brilliant: light?- frota a>-small, kind.[of glow-worm. The floor consists of blocks of 1 limestone that sp.em, to, have fallen from The roof, and the’fragments are scattered about promiscuously. Indications show that the cavern has originally been of muchgreater length, as at the lower -end for a distance ot about sjxty feet the roof has fallen in, after which the cavern again continues for about 132 feet. The cave hash fall of probably between-thirty and forty feet from its upper extremity, and its exploration without aud matches would hare been extremely risky. ,The labor iu scrambling down the bush (rack to reach the spot is very considerable, but it is amply repaid by one of the most wonderful sights in this part of New Zealand. Wairarapa Star.