THE MANGAPU CAVES.

King Country Chronicle, Volume VII, Issue 548, 8 March 1913, Page 6

THE MANGAPU CAVES.

EXPLORING PARTY'S EXPERIENCE.

IMPRESSIVE SIGHTS. The existence of wonderful caveß in various parts of the district has been known to Europeans for many years, and from time to time the claim is made of the discovery of a cave system rivalling that of the famous Waitomo. In the vicinity of Te Kuiti the most noteworthy caves known to the present generation are those through which the Mangapu stream flows after leaving the surface in the Arapae district. The stream runs underground for a distance of about four miles before emerging in to daylight in the Oparure valley, and its subterranean passage is through caves which for size and grandeur are unrivalled in the district. Some years ago a party composed of Messrs Pine, Lorigan, Thornton and others essayed an exploration of the caves, but owing to insufficient equipment were not able to penetrate very far. Sufficient was seen, however, to indicate that very fine sights were to be witnessed, and that a thorough exploration of the caves was well worth atttempting. On Tuesday last a party from Te Kuiti consisting of Messrs H. Rothery and P. Mora, accompanied by Messrs Lainbie and Forsyth, visitors from Taranaki, proceeded to the place where the river enters the ground, prepared to explore the mysteries of the caverns for a few hours. The party followed the course of the stream, which runs swiftly the whole way, for a couple of hours, when they were forced to retrace their steps in order to emerge before darkness set in. Some huge caverns were discovered, the roof in some cases seeming to be at least a hundred feet above the floor. Far above in the distance could could be discerned the luminant glow worms, but the circle of light from the candles carried by the explorers was soon lost in the darkness surrounding them. In places the going was very rough, and once or twice the explorers were forced to Bwim where miniature lakes had been formed by huge boulders which had evidently fallen from the roof into the bed of the stream. Grotesque and wonderful formations were come across in some of the caves, the stalactite and stalagmite formations being on a larger and more imposing scale than any to be seen at Waitomo. The party kept religiously to the bed of thfl main stream, but there are numerous tributary streams from both sides flowing into the main body, and there is every indication that a very extensive cave system exists apart

from the caverns through which the main stream flows. Time did not permit of any deviation from the main channel except on the backward journey. Seeing a glimmer of daylight above, Messrs Lambie and Forsyth clambered up, and discovered a sloping tomo up which it was possible to climb to the surface. This opening is about a mile from the place where the stream enters the ground, and by using the tomo entrance future exploring parties can save considerable time. The distance from Te Kuiti to the entrance of the caves is about seven mileß by the Arapae road.