NEW ZEALAND CAVES.

Temuka Leader, Issue 1891, 14 May 1889, Page 3

NEW ZEALAND CAVES.

A corraspondent of the New Zealand Herald thus describes a cave which he has visited at the upper side of Chora Harbor. “The passage was about six feet high, and led into a chamber, where a fani'ly might be reared. To our surprise we found the sides were carved with figures by native artists. They were cut in the sandstone. It was difficult to judge at what period they were formed, or as to any interpretation their appearance or attitude might furnish, or considering them as ethnological evidences. They presented a positive expression of perpetual defiance. The eyes of the figures were opened to Tlheir widest extent, and exhibited a broad stare, us if engaged in a futile attempt at mesmerism. The nose seemed to be considered.as an insignificant feature, for they were rather circumscribed as to noses. The mouth was the most extraordinary formation of the physiognomy, and was remarkable for its capacity—a great consideration for the Maori. A very large tongue protruded to its fullest extent, ae if the figure represented a patient exhibiting the state of his tongue to the doctor ; but the groat point gained by the artist was the unmistakable defiance he threw into the expression. These figures represented the bellicose period of New Zealand history.” Judge Mair has been on a visit to th« newly discovered caves about two hours’ ride from Otorohanga. He entered them in a canoe, a subterranean river flowing along their base. The judge w enraptured with them, and considers they will prove a great source of attraction to tourists when fully known. They form a mmialuie Cave of Kentucky, being a series of chambers, some of them 50 feet high, adorned with stalactites from the roof, also rising from the floor, while the glowworms far overhead give the idea of a firmament above. There are chambers on an upper level, and the visitor finally comes out into the light of day, on the face of the diff, through a clott in the rocks, 40 feet above tlio rivor The Judge intends to write a paper describing these wonderful caves, of which there are a series in the district, to 1> U road before the Auckland Institute. 1I 0 spent uu hour and a-huif- in exploring their weird and mysterious beauties, and

has posted notices and given strict injunctions to K'C natives to protect the caves from injury. This Inti bccu found necssa<y through Vandals scribbling their names on the walls. Mr MitcheJson returns to Oloroluitiga next week to talk over Hie land question with the leading chiefs, and he intends taking up a photographer to have the interior of the caves photographed, there is likely to be a large tourist tiaffic, owing to the accessibility of the caves by rail, being only about six miles from Kuiti station, or two hours’ ride from Otorohanga. The Maori owners are now fully alive to the value of the discovery to them, as bringing tourists to tho district.