A DANGEROUS SPRING.

South Canterbury Times, Issue 2369, 20 October 1880, Page 4

A DANGEROUS SPRING.

A correspondent of the “Bay of Plenty Times ” sends the following from Maketu : —“ A messenger has just arrived from Rotoehu Lake to fetch the Ngatipikiao, a member of that hapu having started with his companion pighunting on the shores of the Rotorua Lake yesterday morning, and having chased the pig into a small cave which appears to have been a ‘ Ngawha’ or hot spring. Seeing the pig struggling in a small pool of water, the young man (Reiliana by name) sprang in and endeavoured to drag the pig out, but next moment he was seen to drop down apparently lifeless. His comrade went to lus assistance, but felt himself being asphyxiated from the strong fumes rising from the water, which was quite warm. He regained the mouth of the cave with dilliculty, and ran to the nearest settlement for assistance. Four men returned with him to the spot, and upon one of the number attempting to rescue the body he was nearly suffocated, and had to be carried to the lake and dipped in the water before consciousness returned. By means of a long stick and nooze they succeeded in raising the body which was then quite black, from the fatal cave, and the messenger arrived here as above to invite the Ngatipikias to attend the ‘ tangihanga.’ This account is obtained from the natives, and may be highly colored. The writer has seen the messenger above referred to, and heard the statement from his own lips It is well known that some extraordinary mineral springs exist in the vicinity of Rotoehu and Rotorua lakes.”