MAORI MEMORIES

Wairarapa Times-Age, 11 March 1940, Page 11

MAORI MEMORIES

THE WAIKATO.

(Recorded by J.H.S. for the "Times-Age.”)

Seen from below, the most prominent of the extinct volcanoes. Pihanga. rising from a level plain to 4000 feet, is clad in luxurious forest from its base to the lip of its crater. In Maori allegories, literally believed, Pihanga was the wife of Mount Tongariro, who extinguished her'fires and kicked her out in an angry quarrel. All around are the Karamea (red ochre) ranges, once a succession of volcanic peaks in action. East of Ruapehu is the Rangipo Plateau, a thousand feet above the country round Lake Taupo, which is 2000 feet above sea level. In other directions are the well-known Kaimanawa ranges, having the suggestive name of “eating the heart of an enemy.” The Murimotu plains are away to the south. The great cone of Tongariro (The Passing South Winds) stands out over the clusters of lower extinct volcanoes, tnen Ruapehu (Owl's Nest), over and above all in its mantle of perpetual snow at 9000 feet, seen from hundreds of miles in almost every direction. The crystal clear waters of the Waikato (flowing river). 100 feet wide and as deep in places, between steep slop-| ing banks clothed in rich verdure, re- 1 fleeted as in a mirror, made a scone ofi beauty never to bo forgotten. All! this before the axe and tire came as the destroyer of Nature.