OUR HOMELAND.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXV, Issue 20112, 24 November 1928, Page 4 (Supplement)

OUR HOMELAND.

. BT ELSIF li UORTON , I

LEGEND OF THE HUKA FALLS.

Down the azure pathway of the sky, the Silver l'lano was speeding to now beauties of the wonderful district of Wairakci. " Where are we going now ?" asked Pat, who always liked to know just what he might expect to seo next. "To visit tho Huka Falls," replied the guide, " and later on wo will have a look at tho beautiful Aratiatia Rapids." Flying low, the children presently saw beneath the plane tho silver ribbon of the Waikato, winding in and out beneath brown, scrub-covered hills. Very beautiful were some of the reaches of the river, its shores fringed with yellow broom and lovely kowhai trees in full bloom. The golden flowers stretched out over the jade green waters, so deep and clear that tho flare of gold was reflected as in a mirror. Presently 1 lie thunder of falling water reached tho cars of the voyagers, and as the piano descended, thev caught a glimpse of a great, foaming waterfall plunging into a rocky abyss beneath. "There are the famous Huka Falls!" announced the guide. "Ifuka means ' Foam,' and as you see, the falls are well-named." Pixie and Pal lost no time in racing to a suspension bridge across the top of tho falls, from which they got a splendid view of tho turbulent river, dashing in white fury down a narrow, rocky channel, leaping far out over tho forty-foot cliff at tho bottom of the ravine into a wide circular pool. They crossed tho bridge, and walking down a little shady track, came to the edge of the cliffs just below the falls, where Pat gazed with much interest upon tho little power-plant that provides Wairakei with electric light and power. As they listened to the booming thunder of tho falls and watched the rainbow curving up through tho clouds of while spray, tho guide related to them the ancient legend of the Huka. " In the days of long ago, many years before the pakoha came," a powerful tribe lived on the banks of the Wangnnui River under tho groat chief Tukairangi. Many miles distant, on tho shores of Lake Taupo, dwelt another warlike tribe whose chief was Poihipi. So bravo and daring was this tribe that their famo reached Tukairangi, and ho sent a challenge, daring them to shoot tho rapids of mighty Waneanui in their canoes. The Taupo natives accepted tho challenge, and by their skill and daring brought their canoes through the rapids with ease. Then they challenged Tukairangi and twenty of his warriors to come and shoot Waikato's rapids. The Wan pan ui chiefs worked long and hard to build a mighty canoe which should vanquish Waikato, then they carried it across country in triumph to distant Taupo, and launched it on tho lako. But Ihey feared the evil

smile on the face of Poihipi, and when lie invited them to sail down the river they refused to do so unless the Taupo chief came with them So Poihipi and the two canoes set forth upon the breast of mighty Waikato. Sweetly smooth and gentle ran the river from Taupo's shores, and Tukairangi and his men mocked Poihini and cried "Where aro your foaming rapids? Ts this the river that you fear ?" But Poihipi answered not a word, and the canoes swept on. Presently the river flowed more swiftly, and the walls dosed dow'n in a rocky chasm, and fear entered the hearts of the strangers. Suddenly the canoes were swept forward into i the boiling turmoil of the rapids above the Tluka Falls, and the thunder of angry waters fell upon their ears' With a great cry Poihini sprang from his canoe, i grasped a flaxen rope dangling down (he walls of the cliff, and was hauled un to safety by his men. But the canoe of Tukairangi swept on to destruction; there sonncicd a sudden shriek of terror and rage, and next moment the canoe and its warriors were dashed into the heart of the Iluka Falls and seen no more! Rut to this dav the remains of the canoe may be seen drifting about in the whirlpool at. the foot of the Aratiatia Rapids, testimony to the treachery of Poihipi. and the destruction of Tukairangi and his men." "What a wonderful story!" breathed Pixie, as the puide finished his recital of the ancient legend. "Is it reallv true, do you think?" " Wait until you have seen the Aratiatia whirlpool and the driftwood," replied the guide, with a smile, "and then you can decide for yourself!"