KNOW YOUR DISTRICT

Press, Volume LXXIII, Issue 22004, 30 January 1937, Page 6 (Supplement)

KNOW YOUR DISTRICT

Ipiaori Caves and Camping Sites

jP&f J>6 you like caves? There is something exciting and mysterious Sjipßwut them, isn’t there? Maoris once lived in some of the caves we know laSj'Well, just as pakehas to-day have their holiday homes in some of the Cgneaffes at Taylor’s Mistake. It is interesting to know the far-back stories ||^af < sdme of the caves round about Christchurch. |a>- %At Bedcliffs. on the western side of the valley, just below the waterthere is a cave, .known as the Bird Cave, which was often used by ‘ the Maoris as a temporary shelter in stormy weather. .1-., Then, of course, there is the Mba Bone Gave (Te-ana-hineraki), at the Bedcliffs Cutting. You have often seen it on the way to Sumner. K-yMmiy Maori relics were taken from this cave, and are now in the ‘ Christchurch Museum. Many were found, too, in Monck’s Cave at Red«h£fs.

Lansdowne Valley road and caves

—p® you know Victoria Park? Of *2**® y° u do. You’ve been there for a picnic. But do you Cave, just below the • r Puii.? I’s 1 ’ 5 cave—it’s Maori name f ‘ "fA^tuku-takotako —has an interhistory. Here, centuries ago a.flgati-Mamoe chief took shelter, • jjno. was found and slain by the - ®*Mluerlng Ngai-tahu tribe from the north. next you visit the cave—for you’ll seek it out now—youu be able to picture the scene yourself, it is all long, long ' P ar t of the history of .jSgjr Zealand. We have our own , rnsuay, and our own stories, you SJE’ the history of the *■ iS 008 15 our history, too, for we *'■ **® now one people. - -JP* 6 .niost interesting cave, how- ■ j ' Jeen kept for the last. - Sr 1 . S?r *° take you picnicking to V |®hatu-Whakairo. Ah, you '■ 22r* know what that means! Of don’t! Lady Gay didn’t - 2JL. . e Peeped ahead and saw the “Wning. Te Pohatu-Whakairo . means the “Carved Rock.” It is 2j? ve . ln the Lansdowne Valley, , • west of the quarries at Halswell.

This cave was used as a dwelling place by the Ngati-Mamoe, who were in the South Island before the Ngai-tahu tribe.

The “Carved Rock” must have been quite an exclusive home. It has a low entrance, and two compartments, A two-roomed bungalow, you see. The walls are still blackened with the smoke from the charcoal fires lighted in the winter time by the Maoris.

The “Carved Rock” received its name from the rock markings, which resemble the gargoyles to be seen on some buildings in Christchurch.

The Maoris had many camping places, too, on the plain round about what is now Christchurch. There was one camping site on the banks of the River Avon, where the Supreme Court now stands; there was a camping site on the north side of the Estuary at Bromley; and still another where the Heathcote River touches the hills at Cashmere, where Mr A. F. Wright’s property is now. The information for this story of the caves and camping sites came from Mr W. Taylor, of Christchurch. Mr Taylor knows more about the far-back stories of what is now Canterbury than any other person in our midst. And, what is more, he is 'willing to answer any questions you ask. If you want to find out something about the history of your district, the story of any caves or peaks, just write to Lady Gay. We can make this “Own District” comer rather interesting, can’t we?

The end of the term had arrived, and the teacher, approaching one of his rather backward pupils, said: “You haven’t learnt much in this class, have you, my boy?” “I admire you, sir." replied the boy, “for taking the blame in that broadminded fashion.”