STALACTITE CAVES

Evening Post, Volume CVI, Issue 106, 1 November 1923, Page 7

STALACTITE CAVES

NEAR WAIKATO HEADS

RIVALLING FAMOUS WAITOMO.

(BY TELEGRAPH.—SPECIAL TO THE POST.) AUCKLAND," This Day. The existence of a number of stalactite caves near Waikato Heads, stated to be superior Ac the famous Waitomo Caves, js reported by a party of Auckland "mot : orists. Though probably discovered many years ago the secret of the caves appears to have been jealously guarded by the Maoris in the neighbourhood. Legend has lfc that they were an old burial ground of many of their tribal chiefs. According to the visitors, Messrs. W:-S. Miller and C. Hitchens, of Auckland, and Morgan, of Tuakau, the caves ire situated in a lonely locality, seven or eight miles inland from Waikato Heads. The country is of limestone formation. About seven or eight caves were explored, and numerous others are believed to exist. In the majority of cases the caves were large and spacious, ranging from_ 10 feet to 25 feet in height, and running back an undetermined length. The stalactite formations in many in stances are of remarkable grandeur, excelling in number and beauty the formations of those at Waitomo. Not only are there stalactites of great length, but there are also numerous stalagmites, in many cases meeting the hanging deposits. Several of the caves are brilliantly illuminated by millions of glow-worms'. Curious stalagmite formations lend added interest to the caves, some of the formations taking the designs of-chairs and settees and a host of strange shapes and forms. A peculiarity that struck the explorers was that although the caves are over 1000 feet above sea level, some were damp on the bottom and appeared to be covered with what looked like fresh sea.mud and sea shells, while others were dry. The appearance of the landscape gives the impression that land, slides have filled the mouths of some of the caves, and the party intends to return and excavate these in.the near future. They believe there is a possibility of finding specimens of historical interest. Similar caves ' have frequently contained the remains of the extinct moa. Ihe party found the Maoris /at the Waikato Heads very reticeni concerning the caves. When the Maoris' were approached regarding the hire of some horses the price demanded was more than the animals were worth, so the party had to make the last stage of the journey on foot, carrying heavy packs, their luggage including an accumulator for lighting purposes in the caves. The party spent two and a half days exploring the caves, and they considered they had only touched the fringe. On one occasion, when a considerable distance in, they had the misfortune to break their only electric lamp, and were three hours finding their way out, stumbling about on the rough botto m • and altogether haying an unenviable and weird experience. "The caves are second to none in New Zealand," declared one of the party on his return. He said the entrances to several are concealed by bush, and that a guide would Unnecessary before they could be found. They are situated approximately 60 miles from Auckland, he added, and can be reached after about a two to two and a half hours' motor run. Their value for sight-seeing purposes cannot be too highly stressed.