A WAITOMO CAVE

Evening Post, Volume CXVII, Issue 82, 7 April 1934, Page 14

A WAITOMO CAVE

DISCOVERER OF ARANUI DEAD

A message has been received from the manager of the Government Tourist Department's Hostel at Waitomo Caves recording the death in the Maori pa which is situated about two miles distant from Waitomo, of a Maori named Aranui, .the actual discoverer of the cave which bears his name. The caves each have a romantic history attached to them, but that of Aranui begins, as far as is known at the present time, with its chance discovery by Aranui during a pig:hunting expedition in 1911. The bush in the locality is so dense and the entrance to this famous cavern is so cunningly hidden that the cave might easily have remained undiscovered for years.

The present approach to the Aranui cave, which contains some of- the most beautiful formations yet discovered in the district, is by way of a steep flight of steps cut in the forest-clad slope almost opposite the Ruakuri caves. In the face of a bold outcrop of limestone appears a narrow portal, which looks as though it might be merely a crevice in- tho cliff face. On passing through this opening and moving forward a few yards, the cave opens out into one of extremely lofty proportions, heightened by the fact that the floor descends suddenly into considerable depths.

As a mark of respect to the discoverer, the manager of the Waitomo hostel, accompanied by members of the staff, paid a visit to the pa and placed a wreath on the casket on behalf of the Department.