A Singular Cave.

Cromwell Argus, Volume IV, Issue 202, 23 September 1873, Page 7

A Singular Cave.

The following recently appeared in the Auckland Star: “On a recent visit of H.M.S. Dido to Yavau, one of the islands Of the Friendly Group, some of her officers visited a very remarkable cave. The party proceeded in a boat to the small island of Hoonga, distant about seven miles from Neifau. On arriving at the island the native girls showed us tile exact Spot where the em trance to the gave was. We took the boat in as close as possible to the rocks, and there anchored her in five and a half fathoms. One of the natives jumped Overboard, and disappeared through the aperture, one of our party closely following him. 'they both reappeared in about seven or eight minutes, and told us that it was all clear. Then three others belonging to our party jumped overboard and disappeared through the aperture, two out of the three arriving in the cave without mishap; blit the third unfortunately got jammed in the entrance among the rocks, and had it not been for the timely assistance of a native he must have been drowned. To get into this cave, one has to dive first of all about eight feet deep, and then from twenty to twenty-five feet horizontally. This cavern, Commonly called the Lovers’ Cave, is a magnificent sight; it is as near as I could judge about 70 feet long, 30 feet wide, and 70 feet high. It has a deep pool in the centre, the water Of which is very salt, remarkably clear aiid very phosporescent. The pool is about fifty feet deep, and so clear that a person sitting on the side of the cave can see every stone at the bottom. The water rises every minute some three or four feet, causing a mist which fills the cave, disappearing in a most extraordinary manner. This mist is very painful to the eye. While a person is swimming in this water, his head and shoulders appeal' to be quite black, but the part of the body immersed appears as white as snow. During the time you are entering the cave nothing is visible, the passage through the rock being perfectly dark until you rise to the surface inside ; but the case is different when returning to daylight, as it is quite light, enabling one to see the bottom arid both sides of the passage, and the reflection of the boat outside. The cave is illuminated by light from the entrance reflected through the water, which gives it the appearance of subdued moonlight. The cave is bring all over with most beautiful stalactites, some dropping eight or ten feet; the Sides are masses of stalagmites arid rocks, affording seats to those who enter. This cave was first discovered by a young chief while pursuing a turtle. The legend of this wonderful cavern is as follows :—A certain chief raised an insurrection against the ruling chief of Vavau. His plot was discovered, and he was condemned to be massacred with all his family. His daughter, a beautiful girl, was beloved by the chief that had discovered the cave, Which he had kept a profound secret. He effected hei' escape at flight, and conducted her in a small canoe to the rock at Hoonga, where he leapt into the water instructing her to follow hlnn which she did, and they both rose in the cave. 11l this strange place he kept his betrothed for twelve mouths-, bringing her food, etc., in the dead of flight. To accomplish her release, this young chief persuaded some inferior chiefs to accompany him on a voyage to Fiji. A large canoe being prepared they put to sea. His people asked him on leaving if he would riot take a wife with him, to which he replied that he would pick up one out of the sea. Approaching the rock of Hoonga, he steered close in shore, and suddenly jumping overboard, disappeared. While the people in the canoe were debating as to what had become of him, he reappeared with a beautiful female, whom they recognised as her Whom they believed had been put to death. They pursued their Voyage to Fiji, where the young couple landed, and are living there yet to the best of my belief.