THE LAKE ON PIDGEON ISLAND.

Otago Witness, Issue 3399, 7 May 1919, Page 55

THE LAKE ON PIDGEON ISLAND.

TO THE EDITOB.

Sir, —With your permission I wish to give a short reply to Mr Norman's letter. He has a very feasible theory about the stumps slipping into Paradise Lake, which may be true and may not. Pigeon Island is nearly opposite what they call the Neck —that is, a low saddle between Wanaka and Lake Hawea, only about a half-mile between them. Now, Mr Norman is not as widely read as I thought ho was. In all mountainous countries there are subterranean channels, both hot and cold. Up the Cardrona River, about four miles below Walter Little's, there is a good big stream coming out of Ci'iffel, about on a level_ with the river-bed It would drive a fair-sized mill, and it is running summer and winter. It is possible' that it may be coming from the head waters of the Gentle Annie or the Roaring Meg, 10 or 12 miles away over the hills, but much higher than the Cardrona riverbed.

About 30 years ago while they were putting a tunnel through the Alps they struck a hot water vein, and none came out either dead or alive. Tho tunnel was diverted another way. I still maintain that there is a possibility of Paradise Lake on Pigeon Island being the mouth of an extinct volcano. To all who are not up in this controversy I may say that Pigeon Island is a little island in Lake Wanaka that used to be covered with bush. Up-on ton of the island there is another round lake called Paradise Lake. —I am, etc., J. S. Watson. Waimate, May 3.