Yasawa Caves

Location of Ancient Carvings

“YOU have published, occasionally,

* articles describing the the subter ranean caves on the island of Yasawa-i -lau, in the Yasawa Group, Northern Fiji,” writes a resident of Tamasua, Yasawas.

“May I contribute yet another?’’

“These are the caves known as ‘Mr.

Vogan’s Caves,’ because it was he who made known to the world the curious carvings, evidently ancient Chinese script, which are found on the walls there.

“The scripts are in the main cave.

Entrance to this is gained by clambering over limestone rocks, needle like in formation, in some cases.

“Once inside, the visitor is immediately struck with the beauty of the interior.

Perpendicular walls, with ledges jutting out here and there, and the carvings showing up well since their application of shellac: sunlight streaming through the top, and setting off to advantage the smooth deep-green water of the cave.

Hundreds of names are chalked all over the walls by Fijians, who visit the cave from time to time. There is an occasional hole, just wide enough to admit a man’s body, perhaps some ten feet above the water, where one may venture through into semi-darkness, coming out again into the main cave 40 or 50 feet away from where you entered.

“The more venturesome, who may wish to explore the inner cave, may gain en trance by swimming under water a few feet and emerging into a perfect dome shaped cave, wherein are numerous abut ments where one may rest and admire the artistic work of nature. Unfortunately this inner cave is in semi-darkness, only odd streaks of light finding their way through an occasional crack in the roof.

“It is wonderful, and yet uncanny, to sit on a rock in the main cave and listen to a number of natives in the inner cave singing their songs, the echo making them as loud as brass bands.

“An amusing incident occurred during the Easter holidays, when two friends of the writer, Messrs. Batty and Marriott, came to visit him. They arrived at Tama sua on Sunday afternoon and, as they had to go back early next morning, a start was made right away to explore the caves.

“After a swim around the main cave they decided to venture into the inner one. A Fijian boy went in first to act as guide.

“Mr. Batty followed the bnv and ne gotiated the channel at his first pttempt.

Mr. Marriott made two attempts, but back-pedalled on each occasion.

“Mr. Batty, inside, began to worry as to whether Mr. Marriott had net stuck on his way through, and decided to dive out again and investigate.

“As he dived hack from the inner cave.

Mr Marriott dived from the main cave, with the result that thev met in a head on collision half-way through.

“It was amusing from the spectator’s poiut of view, but a b l 't sore from the explorers. However, on his third attemnt.

Mr. Marriott got through without any hitch.

“Both men were loud in their praise of the wonders of these caves.

“Ther Q are numerous other caves on the island, wherein an electric torch is required to investigate.”

Mr. F. J. H. Grattan, Secretary of Apia Government Hospital, Western Samoa, arrived in Sydnev by the Mon golia on September 30, after undergoing a course of anthropology at Cambridge University, England. He joined the Mon golia at Bombay, having travelled over land from London in a “baby” car.