LETTERS TO THE EDITOS

Dominion, Volume 9, Issue 2880, 19 September 1916, Page 6

LETTERS TO THE EDITOS

CITY WATER SUPPLY

ORONGORONGO WORK IN HAND. Sir, —The old adago is true —"Where ignorance is bliss, 'tis folly 'to bo wise." I was not aware that tho above work was in hand, but now see from the Mayor's remarks at the council meetuig that such is the case, and also indicating the points from which, the connection is to be made; also that a, name has been given to one of tho several streams which flow towards the.Orongorongo in that locality. This implies that some preliminary work has been done, if only_ with the aneroid. Huia Creek is a very appropriate name for such a tributary, if the royal "Retra- . locha-acutirastris" is yet in possession of that particular locality, which I am inclined to doubt, although there were, quite a number of them there half a i centuiy ago. It is satisfactory to know that the Orongorongo Stream can be tapped so low down, and can be brought into George's Stream. The Irishman said it was a "rocky road to Dublin," and a "long way to Tipperary." If ho were induced to havo a walk over there ho would say it was a "little of both," where if he saw tne place for a dam he would hear of quite a number of others. From the nature of tho country it will require noni'e time to carry the scheme through, for want of access. The question of the Scotchman and tlie whisky- might apply. When asked if he would have it hot or cold, he said: "Cold while tlio hot was being made ready." It might bo neces--' sary to do the smaller tunnel while the larger scheme was in progress. Unfortunately the trend of the hills and gullies opposite George's Stream does not naturally help to shorten the distance. Now; sir, while we are on the George's Stream track, I will introduce your readers to a little matter which may prove of interest to visitors in that locality a bit later; it may not be very far from tho lino of tho proposed tunnel. What might be termed a "phenomenon" or natural curiosity is a block of stone or rough rock which, by some earthquake-or volcanic action, has been tilted up on end, from tho side of the hill. There is quite a rcccss in tho hillside from where it has been titled out. . This block of stone stands sonio feet above tho standing birch trees; it can only be approached from the- back or hillside. The top of this rock is flatj with room for eight or ten men to stand, while in tho centre there is a loose block of stono, from two and a half to three feet through, suitable for a good seat. This peculiar rock is bleached with tho weathgr, and at a distanco resembles a small tent standing oil top of the green trees. It was named byitho lads J. and D. Sinclair, over 50 years ago, tlio "throne in the wilderness." This phenomenon is worthy ' of a visit by anyone who may be in that locality, and no doubt will.be visited by the young tourist with a camcra, from which a good view of all the upper Orongorongo Valley can be obtained. It can bo easily found by going up the central spur from where the George's stream forks, where this spur joined tho main range. There is .a rather prominent point on the spur which leads over towards tho Orongorongo (from that point), looking about north-east along the main ridge, about threequarters of a mile, and just down on tho Orongorongo side a little distanco can he seen this "throne in the wilderness." Ten or 15 minutes' walk from the junction of the ridges named will bring the visitor to this spot, where, if the day is clear, ho will bo rewarded beautiful landscape view, where tho hills and valleys are clad ill a many-coloured robo of where tho wood pigeon may bo seen as it sweeps on tho whig from one hiil to another, and the "wheop-wheep" of the poipoi (turaugara-taugara) is heard from tho valley below. As the tourist .is seated on that "throne in tho wilderness" and views the surrounding country, lie. will admit the 6cene is one to which beauty has lent its charms, and sublimity its grandeur. The tourist would Teturn satisfied that this description is no romance, and that the spot is worth a good walk to see it. It is to bo hoped l tho surveyors will locate this spot, and cut a lino to it that it may be moro easily found by future visitors.—l am. etc.. ' 1 DUNCAN SINCLAIR. Palmerston North, September 15, 1916.