A VISIT TO MARINER'S CAVE.

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume VIII, Issue 234, 29 September 1873, Page 4

A VISIT TO MARINER'S CAVE.

Tbe following appeared in the Auckland Stan —

On a recent visit of H.MS. Dido to Vavau. one of the islands of the Friendly Group, some of her officers visited a very remarkable cave. Ths party proceeded in a boat to the small island of Hoonga, distant about seven miles from Neiafu. On arriving at the island the native girls showed us the exact spot where the entrance to the cave 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, but tbe third unfortunately got jammed in the entrance among the rocks, and had it not been for the timely assistance of a native he mast have been drowned. To get into the cave one bas to dive first of all about eight feet deep, and then from twenty to twenty-five feet horizontally. This cavern, commonly called the Lover's 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 wbich is very salt, remarkably clear, and very phosphorescent. 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 as the water recedes 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 appear 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 tbe 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 and 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 hung all over with most beautiful stalactites, some dropping eight or ten feet; the sides are masses of stalagmite and rocks, affording seats to those who enter. The cave was first discovered by a young chief while pursuing a turtle. The legend of this wonderful cayern 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 beaatifal girl, was beloved by the young chief that had discovered the cave, which he had kept a profound secret. He effected her escape at night, and conducted her in a small canoe to the rock of Hoonga, where he leapt into the water, instructing her to follow him, which she did, and they both rose in the cave. In this strange place he kept his betrothed for twelve months, bringing her food, &c, in the dead of night. To accomplish her release this young chief persuaded some inferior chiefs to accompany him on a voyage to Fiji. A large canoe being provided they pat to sea. His people asked him on leaving if he would not take a wife with him, to which he replied that he would pick np 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 sow, to the best of my belief.