The Rainbow Fall.

At about three miles from Atiamuri we pass close to the Aniwhaniwha (“Rainbow”) Fall and rapids. Just above the cataract the Waikato flows round a sweeping bend, dark, smooth and deep, and impressing one with a profound sense of power. A rough path leads down to the very edge. Suddenly the glassy surface of the river is transformed into a madly-rushing torrent. The Waikato here is two hundred yards wide, fringed by fairly low banks, covered with flax bushes, fern and manuka. The bed of the river suddenly falls some thirty feet, just where a green islet divides its waters. Smoothly and swiftly the waters glide down an incline plane until they strike the island and its satellite rocks, and then the turmoil begins. The river breaks into a series of wildly foaming rapids, dashing furiously with thunderous roaring over the black rocks which protrude from the river-bed, and whirling down into a milky-white whirlpool. The mad waters rush from one side to the other, beating and roaring against the rock walls, but ever hurled back again into the fury of the fall. Clouds of spray rise high in the air; and when the sun is shining rainbows arch the falls.