A SUBTERRANEAN PARADISE.

Te Aroha News, Volume VII, Issue 472, 17 May 1890, Page 4

A SUBTERRANEAN PARADISE.

THE WAITOMO CAVES. FIRST MIDNIGHT EXCURSION. Public attention has recently been directed to the lovely Waitomo Caves near Otorohatiga, in the King Country, and it is probable that in the future this spot will be a very favourite one for tourists. Hitherto, one of the ' chief obstacles to the trip has been the time required for its performance, but this has now to some extent been overcome by a convenient arrangement made by the caretaker (Mr Fraser). For the future he is prepared to pilot visitors through the caves at night. The advantage of this arrangement is manifest. Tourists who are pressed for time can now go up to Otorohanga one morning, ride over in the evening and see the caves at night, and return to town by the next morning’s train. Mr J. P. Hooton sends us the following description of the first midnight excursion to the caves. He says :—After arrival at Otorohanga by the weekly train at 4.30 on a recent Monday afternoon, a gentleman came up and said, “ Are you going to the caves ?” “Unfortunately, theGovernmentonly provide one train a week, and I have to do business here which will occupy attention till 10 this evening, and must leave by train at 7.30 in the morning.” “I am quite willing to guide you to the caves at ten o’clock,” Mr Fraser replied. “You can procure a horse at Mr Hefctib’s hotel, go out to the caves, make the first midnight inspection, and be back in Otorohanga by 3o’clock.” This proDOsibion was almost enough to take away my breath, but the enthusiasm of the Government caretaker, whom Mr Fraser proved to be. knows no bounds. “ I must get people bo see the caves, and I am very anxious to make known that people bo whom time is very valuable, can leave Auckland one day, see the caves, and be back the next.”

Business being finished at nine, I returned to the hotel, where the indefatigable Mr Fraser was waiting for me, and we soon made a start. There was no moon, but we had a little light from stars. “Is your life insured ? Stick to the saddle and leave it to your horse to follow me and we were soon in a canter over a strange and broken country. I felt far from safe, but evidently the guide knows the country,and was whistling merrily and keeping me awake with his experiences in the Lake district, etc. After cantering and walking for about two hours we hear a great noise of of dogs barking, and find we are near a Maori settlement, and not far from the entrance to the caves. We tether our horses to an old whare and find our way to the canoe, and with our candles and magnesium wire prepare to enter the caves. The recent rain 3, by flooding the creek, have rendered the banks dirty and slippery. For about two hours we were wandering through the wonderful caves. Their beauty is beyond description. The stalagmites and stalactites are in endless variety—the organ, native land court, orphans, blanket, Mair’s cave, banquet chamber, shell, elephant, lions, well, and white terrace are all there and have received description from an abler pen. Suffice it to say I arrived back at the hotel by 3 o’clock thoroughly satisfied, notwithstanding the trouble and inconvenience of being out at so late an hour, that I had been amply repaid, and can thoroughly recommend all who cannot spare the longer time to go and do likewise.. Of course the caves must be seen at midnight to thoroughly appreciate their beauty.