DEATH OF EXPLORER

Taranaki Daily News, 16 September 1940, Page 4

DEATH OF EXPLORER

DISCOVERY ON EGMONT Though not well known because of their inaccessibility, Brame's Falls on Mt. rgmont are among the most picturesque of Taranaki's beauty spots. They were discovered towards the end of last century by John Wagstaff Brame, whose death has occurred at Auckland. An authority on New Zealand ferns, of which he had a fine collection, Mr. Brame explored the country around Egmont in search of specimens and on April 5, 1897, in company with two young men, J. J. Peaccck and F. Guy, he discovered the falls on the Opunake side at the head of the Waiaua stream. As a result of an article in the Opunake Times by the editor of that time, Mr. M. J. Brennan, the falls were named after their discoverer. Situated at a height of 3115 feet, the falls are about half-way between Okahu Gorge and Fantham Peak. Althought not very high, there being a drop of about 60 feet, their surroundings make them worthy of being ranked among the features of the mountain. They tumble down into a deep basin, the sides of which are cloaked deeply in fern. Towering above and closing over the falls are massed trees that reach a height of easily 60 feet. Some years ago, with subscriptions raised in Opunake, a rough track was I cut but it was not maintained and has ' since been completely obliterated. To-day a two-day journey over difficult country must be made to reach this spot. Mr. Brame diud at Crummer Road, Grey Lynn, at tlie age of 83. He was born in Birmingham and came to New Zealand with his father in 1863, his uncle, Mr. W. L. Brame, being one of the founders of the Albertland settlement. Mr. Brame entered the service of the Post and Telegraph Department, from which he retired after 40 years' service. He is survived by two sons and four daughters, one son having lo'/t his life in the last war.