SECRET OF CAVE

Gisborne Herald, Volume LXVII, Issue 20344, 5 September 1940, Page 4

SECRET OF CAVE

DUPLICATOR PLANT COMMUNIST PAPERS DISCOVERY OF BOYS . PAPATOETOE FARM (Per Press Association.) AUCKLAND, this day. Chance adventures of three boys on a recent Sunday have led.to the discovery of a duplicating plant, a quantity of cyclostyled pamphlets and Communistic literature in a deep cave on a farm about three miles from Papaloetoe township. When the owner of the farm was informed of the discovery he communicated with the police, who visite'd the cave and seized the plant and other material. The contents of the circulars indicated that the plant had been used fairly recently, as much of the subject matter referred to increased taxation and the Budget which was introduced in the House of Representatives in the last week in June. In addition to the duplicator, which was mounted on rough flooring boards, two boxes were found. One box contained a number of publications on communism. Discovery of Cave The discovery of the cave and its contents was du e to a youthful enthusiasm to explore localities remote from the beaten track. The existence of a large cave on this farm, which looks over an inlet of Manukau harbour, has been known to the farmer and many boys living in the district, but the inner cavity in which the plant was found had not hitherto been widely known, as access to it is by a means of a passage and an aperture of about 3ft. wide. In roaming through the large cave, which extends for about 40ft. underground, the boys noticed the passage which runs back sharply from the main entrance and is partly concealed Iby a projecting rock. The boys urere unable to complete their exploration then, but they returned later armed with a storm lamp. The lads stated that when they found the duplicator a stencil was fixed to it and, on turning the handle of the machine, a copy of the circular was produced. The floor was strewn with many spoilt copies.

The cave has a diameter of about 12ft. and is about sft. high in the centre. ‘Movement within the inner radius of the cave can only be made in a stooping posture. Pieces of timber and sacks covered the sodden soil of the floor and two pieces of asbestos board had been used to protect the duplicator and papers from moisture dripping from the roof. The depth and winding access to the cave prevented any natural light from penetrating and candles had been employed for illumination.