ISLAND WONDERS.

Dominion, Volume 1, Issue 184, 29 April 1908, Page 9

ISLAND WONDERS.

——« ;• CAVERNS OF THE POOR KNIGHTS. (by TXMSSiiArH.—SPECIAL CbßrtESrOUbjiNT.) AUDhlariU, April 28. During tho Easter .holidays,' a party rif Auckland excursionists proceeded 011 board Mr.. launch Karoro io tho Poor KnHits islands, an isolated and almostinaccessible group situated to tho oast of the Whangaroi coast. Tho travellers have as a result- retiithed to town enthusiastic with regard to. tho scenic tfoiiders which have been found ih this retiioto corner of tlio Dominion s territory. Mr. R. Leckio, Clerk to the Auckland Land Board, whs one of the visitors, and gave a " Star" representative some of ,hiß impressions of. tlu>_ sights. - The islands form a lighthouse reserve, and porriiissibn.to land must bo Obtained frorii tlio Marino Department; Tlio laiidj whifch _is wholly of a volcanic nature, i 3 covered with a stunted growth of bush, manuka, and flax, find the islands aro tho home of numerous birds, including bell-birds, tuis, and parakeets, alSo, it is stated, of. goats and pigs. On ; tho soilth-ivest -Bide of the .island tlio coast tfaS milch too rough fbr l&iiding, and it was in this direction that tho party found a mngiiifibeht archway opening in the solid Wall of rock; ahd showing a blear passage bf 50 yards through, with a depth of water of from 25ft Jto 30 ft. The sides are perfectly sh'ebr, and the whole is said to present a nlost striking and almost magnificent, picture to tho observe!'. . •_ ' ... • . • "I wbiild say," Said Mr. Lcckie,- "that a big tramp steamer could go fight through it, and I really think even a full-figged--ship cotild negotiate it. Tlio sea ill tlio vicinity is vory deep, 40 fathoms. We wcro very surprised and delighted to find the arch, having been previously totally unaware bf its existdnce." .In ahothor directioli. the party foiliid a Email hill, three or. four hlilidred .feet high) iii tflo middle of 'which was found a tiinnel 60 to 100 yards lolig, with walls.falling slicof tfl the iVatel' surfilce, and With iiilge buttresses. .Tne caverh'mcasilfed some 20 feet wide, and about 40 feet high. The whole is, said to present a most curious appearance, 'JjHbiScly. as if. h'iiiriah hnftds had been responsible,,for its' construction., Anothor cave neiit 1 . by was also visited by T tho party in a boat, and it.was here that biib bf tlio finest nioecs of Nature'shandiwork Was revealed. " This huge' cavern -was estimated iit 300 ieot in width ahd 500 feet tlcop, whilo the height, oil iiti average \Vas : hot lesSthan 50 febt. . Reaiitiful ferns could, bo seeii clustering iind fallihs ih twilling, inassea around tlie rooky, roof: ." Traces of' .copper wero. evident ill. the rock, ■ and tlio walls gllstbhed l with. many shades of green arid chrome;. .lidding, ii. glorious, touch bf coloiir to the .whole. Tile end of this cave fajls in & blear drdp in just tho Banio'maniier as' the walls/ - Another, caVc, eiitefbd by a narrow passage ofwater, bbtistbd-,.'ft. Dhe dol'noSMpea roof. Yet another cave Was.visited, containing a rather'shallow depth bf water, 1 in which disported a. perfect slibal tif fish, including schnapperi " yellow-tailj'-' rock cod, and liapuka. . . " AU'werb agrecdj"-said-Mr. Leckio, " that tho . scenic - - features' of -. the islands were indeed wohderflil, ftiid evSii then woicaiiiiot bp said to have landed and really explored the. group 'prbporlyir- ' , What'- surprised lis greatly -aV&& finding,, fforti settlets on tho mainland iioar, AVlinngarei, that ncveiV by ■ runibur or, tradition, Had they--hoard. : of those, .cuVos: arid archways; '■ N6yci"'havin'g ■ 'heard•• of tiiftni.: bursolvos,'. ;\vs 'were/ ; . ! tinprc-, pared for- 'siich -sights'j'.vaiid ' werb : tfiily, "dep lighted.with : 6ur'vigit.; ,y: