LAKE AND ISLET.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LI, Issue 15562, 20 March 1914, Page 8

LAKE AND ISLET.

PROPOSED SCENIC RESERVE.

OLD BURYING-GROUND.

WATERFOWL'S RETREAT.

Wbangabei, Thursday. High up on the hills near Tautoro, in the Kaikohe district, lies the beautiful lake of Tauanui. It is a sequestered sheet of fresh water of 35 acres in extent, and with its shores covered with luxuriant native bush. In the centre of the lake is situated a heavily wooded island, which rises in conical form. This picturesque spot is a famous wehi tapu, or native burial ground, and where in former years the bodies of native chiefs were ferried in rush canoes for interment, of late years the lake has proved a great attraction for tourists, and j this has led to the Whangarei and Kaipara Chambers of Commerce deciding to make a joint appeal to the Government to secure it as a scenic reserve. It appears that some years ago the native owners sold the lake and the surrounding country to European purchasers. At that time, the Government made an effort to purchase the area, but it was understood that the price asked resulted in the negotiations being fruitless. During the past few weeks, however, the lake again changed hands, with a result that it is now believed that it could be acquired by the Crown at a satisfactory figure.

Up to a few years ago, the island in the lake was regarded as a sacred spot by the natives, and Europeans met with great difficulties in endeavouring to visit the locality on account of the strict laws of tapu which were enforced. The lake itself, on account of the protection which has been exercised over it for many years, is a noted breeding-ground for waterfowl and, on that account, it has a particular interest to the Bay of Islands Acclimatisation Society.