PLACE NAMES

Lyttelton Times, Volume CXVIII, Issue 18574, 29 November 1920, Page 3

PLACE NAMES

ON PORT HILLS-AKAROA SUMMIT ROAD. (Contributed by Mr H. G. Ell.) Dyer's Pass Road.—This, like tho Rapaki Road, is one of the oldest ways over the lulls, dating back to the early days of tho Maori occupation ot Canterbury. Tho Maoris used this way to their villages and their palhsaded pa in GovornoVu Bay. This Maori track was well defined when tho pioneer Rattler.* arrived in Canterbury. It w, "» first used as a horse track, and a sledge track, horses or bullocks being used for the purpose. In 1862-1863 the formation of a road was undertaken by tho Provincial Government followed the crown of tho spur as far us Victoria Park, when on account of the wrv steep hillside it was found necessary to bench a roadway out to Dyer's lass. This old roadway remained the onpy means of communication to Governor fi Bay until the Victoria Park deviation road was opened for general traffic but two years ago. The work of this deviation dates back to 1901. In 1905, after an interview with the Heathcote Bond Board, I received a letter from Mr Walter Hill, who was then chairman, agreeing to accept dedication of the new road for tbo old one. It took from 190b' to 1918 to get the necessary work done, such was the apathy and indifference displayed. And I have to (hank the late Minister of Public Works—the Hon Sir William Frasoi--for tho necessary material assistance in getting this very uneful piece of publio work finished. Rhodes'B Bush.—This is the bush which extends down tho western face of Cass's Peak. Tho part of the bush between the boundary fence and th« Summit Road, over 7 acres in extent, was presented by tho Hon Sir Heaton Rhodes to the public as a scenic reserve.

Witch Hill.—Witch Hill is directly at the head of Rapaki Road. It is a scenic reserve of 13 acres in extent, and was presented to tho public by Messrs A. ft. V, and R. M. D. Morten. On the summit a monument is erected to soldiers and officers fell in the Great War, and whoso names are recorded on the hack of the memorial seat. Tins part of the hills holds a remarkable place in the history of tho Maori placo names on tho Port Hills range. It means the place whore Tamatea lelt the ashes of his camp fire. 'Hie name is quite unpronounceable to the average reader, but I record it here for those who may bo interested—To Whakata-kanga-o-te-Ngarehu a Tamatea. Thi* very long name applies to that portion of the Port Hills crest extending from Witch Hill to the Bridle Path. As Maori history has it: The ancient explorer Tamatea enmped one night somewhere near where the old quarry ib situated, which is on the south-east-ern facg of Witch Hill. Directly at the back of Witch Hill and looking almost duo south, there is a hill which, seen from the village of Rapaki, is likened to a .sugar loaf. This Is the local place-name, but; it must not be confused with the Sugar Loaf at Dyer's Pans. According to Tikau, chief of the Maoris of Banks Peninsula, this hill bears oldest Maori place-name in Canterbirrv —To Poho-o-Tamatea and Te Upoko-o-Mahuraki, the hrrt name meaning Tamafea's breast, and was given by that explorer over 500 years ago. The secoriil name was piven by a. chief of the Ngai-Tahu tribe about 100 yearn ago. It means Mahuraki's Head. The Giant Tor.—This is the great rock which stands right on the saddle of tho hills above the Lyttelton abattoirs. Adjoining this and a few chains 'to the east, the Summit Road passes along the north-west side of the Tors scenic reserve. This name was given by Miss B. E. Baughan, and It very aptly describes the tor-shaped outcrops which are on this scenic reserve. This is another reserve given by the Messrs Morten, and is about 13 acres in extent. Directly opj.«osite _is the very remarkable Eliaped hill overlooking Heathcote Valley, called by some " Castle Rock," the Maori placename of which is To Tihio Kahuknra—crest or summit of Kahukura. Kahu-kura was the rainbow god of the Maori, and was tho great deity of tho South IsTahd tribes. The Bridlo Path.—This was the way taken by the pilgrim settlers, and by a great many who followed them in the early 60's and (50's. People now talk about the " hard walk it Is" by this way from Christchurch to Lyttelton ot from Lyttelton to Christchurch, yet in the very early history of Christehurdb some of the residents used to walk from Christchurch over the rougn and uneven way to the foot of the hilte in Heathcote Valley, then by way of the Bridle Path to Lyttelton, and carry back bread from a Lyttelton bakery; and many are the tales which could be told of similar strenuous journeys. The Summit Road after leaving the Bridle Path, runs round the northwestern face of

Mount Cavendish Scenio ReserveTins is another of th© scenic Reserves—nearly 19 acres in extent—ciron by the Messrs Morten to the public. It was named by the Admiralty survey party who coasted tho shores of Canterbury in the early fifties, in making a marine survey.