PLACE NAMES.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 16267, 6 November 1920, Page 16

PLACE NAMES.

ON PORT HIU.S-AKAROA SUMMIT ROAD, (Contributed by Mr H. G. Ell.) 11. NANNY’S NIOK—The gnp in the nrige at the head of Cashmere Valley, about twenty-five chains on the way to b Bush from the Sign of the “ Kiwi.” Mr James Hay, of Pigeon Bay, told me that some time in the early fifties he was making his way to the Plains from the Peninsula with horses, and was directed by a settler in Governor’s Bay to look out for Nanny’s Nick, where lie could get through to the Plains side of the Port Hills. Mr Hay came that way, and down the olii Dyer’s Pass Track, for it was little more than a track then. Mr Hay said that he thinks the name was given because a goat or some goats had been seen or were found wandering about there. Nanny’s Nick Pass was used before the Dyer’s Pass Road was made available for use by the settlers. CASHMERE VALLEY.—This valley took its name from the estate name of the late Sir John Cracroft "Wilson. Sir John came to New Zealand from India. He was knighted for services during the Indian Mutiny. The name Kashmir was given by .Sir John to his estate, which was afterwards changed to Cashmere—the present spelling of the name. ' CORONATION HILL.—The name of the lull on tho northern slope of which the Sign of tho Kiwi stands. It was so named to commemorate the coronation of his Majesty King George. The southern boundary of this scenic reserve is Nanny’s Nipk. DYER’S PASS.—The pass was named after the late Mr John Dyer, a very early settler in Governor’s Bay. The rough stono retaining wall on the Governor's Bay side directly below the Sign of the Kiwi Rest House made the pass possible as a way over the hills from Governor’s Bay to tho Plains.

THE SUGAR LOAF.-—The early iiaino of tlie great hill on the northern side of Dyers Pass. There is another hill also called the Sugar Loaf directly at the back of Rapaki, Tho ancient Maori name of Sugar Loaf is To Hern o Kahn JKura--Tc Heru—the comb— Kahn Kura—the rainbow god of the Maoris. It means the Comb of Kura. In ancient times the Maori chiefs and the great men of the tribes did their hair up on top—like a topknot, and stuck a comb, usually made of wood, but sometimes of bone, into it. The comb may bo seen in the Maori House at the Museum. This noble hill of 2(3 acres was secured for the public through the thoughtfulness of Air J. CJracroft "Wilson in granting exceptionally easy terms of payment based on a low price. Without these concessions it is extremely doubtful whether it would have ever come into the possession of the' public. MITCHELL’S TRACK.—The name of tho main pathway along the face of the cliffs of Te Hern o Kami rvara, from Dyer’s Pass. It joins the Summit Track at the Bowen’s Valley Saddle. This delightful walk was secured through a generous gift made by Mr George Mitchell, of Governor’s Bav. RATHMORE TRACK AND ROCK. —Adopted from a Scotch name for a high road—Rath Mohr. TAMATEA’S TRACK.—Named after one of the great men of tho Maoris who visited these parts in ancient times. Mr Jamos Cowan has written a very fascinating story of tho Maori place names, which should he read by every lover of the hills. Tamatea’a Track leaves tho northern end of Mitchell’s xrack, and runs in an easterly direction out to a remarkable and interesting rock formation, which looks on to the Sugar Loaf Hill above Rapaki THE DOUGLAS ROCK.-This m-eat and remarkable cliff stands out boldly from the face of Te Hem o Kahu Kur*' It is named after Miss M. Sf Domrlas. for many services, given gratuiuuHv. to the association. Miss iic.mrlW carved the sign for the “ Kiwi Rest House, and also the bench ends in the porch of the tram terminus icst house etc. ’