GLOW-WORM CAVERNS

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume LXVI, 31 March 1932, Page 4

GLOW-WORM CAVERNS

DISCOVERY IN A TUNNEL PARTY’S MOONLIGHT VISIT BATHING COSTUMES AND GUMBOOTS Glow-worm caverns have been found to exist within the borough of Eltham, states the “Taranaki -uaily News.” In a water race tunnel about ten chains long, the, walls and roof are studded with myriads of bright blue torches which give the effect of a fairyland bower or a brilliant starry sky. Last week a party of fifty accepted the invitation of Mr C. H. White, chairman of the Eltham Dairy Company, to. make an inspection of the tunnel. The members of the party were advised' to wear bathing suits, as the conditions were very wet. It was in various garb, therefore, that the women and men entered the caverns. Some donned bath ing suits complete; others put on gumboots ; many wore stout overcoats. Arriving in several cars the party in the moonlight were not unlike a company of midnight bathing revellers. They descended a 7ft ladder into the bed of the tunnel, stepping into water up to their knees. The leader pursued his way into the narrow concrete tunnel, followed by the eager crowd. For several chains ahead the bright blue specks shone brilliantly. The cavern enlarged and the glow became more intense, resembling a soft light from above shining through small lat-tice-work. After- some distance the tunnel converged into a smaller concrete channel about four feet high, and through this for some chains the members of the party had to make their way, the water being thigh deep. Here the bathing suits showed superiority over the gumboots, as the water overflowed the tops of the boots. It was an eerie procession that with the aid of torches slowly made their way through the caverns of violet blue, every now and then the torches being subdued to reveal the full power of the glow-worms. On an examination by torch flight it was found that each glow-worm was a j thin, jelly-like creature about lj. to 2 inches long, from the head of which 1 emanated the bright speck of light. Some I which fell into the water made a pretty phosporescent glow as they flowed past. A few of the party picked off glowworms and put them on their hats. They were taken home and continued to glow for a considerable time.