Whichever way, access was critical.
David decided to explore further.
The nearest point on the coast appeared to be a bay called Pataratara. He rang the Opotiki County Council. The county clerk was cheerful and chatty.
“Pataratara? That’s where they used to quarry granite and ship it up to Tauranga and Auckland. There’s an old wharf there and it’s one of the few places on the coast where there’s a sheltered deep-water anchorage.”
“Who owns it now?”
“One of your Auckland big-shots, Sir Charles Hawthorne, QC. Bought the whole bay and built a house on the headland three years ago. Has a manager there most of the time. He’s also quite a conservationist. Set up the first private marine reserve in the eastern Bay of Plenty. But he’s also a bit of an entrepreneur. He’s got the granite quarry going again, though it’s probably only a hobby.”
“Have you met him?”
“Oh yes, he often calls in here for a chat. He’s the legal adviser to the Whanau Apanui, the people round the coast. I gather it’s all pro bono.”
Sir Charles, David thought. What a stroke of luck! He was one of the most helpful and influential people on the University Council, and his extensive contacts had helped to generate funds for research from business and the professions. From his initial research contacts David had come across his name as a legal adviser on resource consents for multinational companies who were seeking exploration licences. His holiday house sounded like some mansion where he entertained his overseas and New Zealand business colleagues. He could be a good contact for the future.
Sir Charles could see him straight away. It was 11 o’clock on Monday, the day after his visit to St Peter’s Church, when he waited under the ornate domed ceiling of the reception area of the legal rooms in the restored Victorian Gothic heritage building in Customs Street.
“Welcome, welcome, Dr Corbishley.”
A very large man with a beaming smile and a deep resonant voice rose ponderously from his desk. “Do you mind if I call you David? You were enquiring about Pataratara. It’s my little retreat. A place where I can be on my own. My life here is so public, as you know.”
David was surprised and pleased at the warmth of the welcome from the great man. Glancing around the large oak-panelled office with the heavy leather-bound chairs and the bookcases around the walls filled with massive law volumes, he was interested to see framed above the desk a large topographical map of part of the Raukumaras with the area of the huia sanctuary outlined.
“One of my reasons for buying there was my interest in the local Maori history. Because I have worked closely with Whanau Apanui in cultural projects they asked my advice when the Director-General contacted them about the huia. I fully supported them in the sanctuary proposal and they made me a kind of patron or honorary kaumatua and gave me this map. The whanau and I are both very proud of the royal bird.” He acknowledged David’s congratulations in a warm, resonant voice. “Thank you. Now would you like some coffee? This is not a professional consultation, you know, but I’m sorry I can’t offer you something stronger. Working hours, you see.” He smiled broadly and David noticed a dimple on his ample cheek. “What do you like?” He motioned towards a side table where a tray was already prepared with delicate bone china jug, cups, saucers and sugar bowl. “Cream? Sugar? I am also interested in geology. That’s why I was so pleased to have the opportunity to talk to you.”
David rather hesitantly put forward his idea about the limestone. “You see if the belt was continuous, the river might have run out that way once. And if it did, there is just a remote chance that it could have come out near your property.”
“A most interesting hypothesis. Actually, I have studied the geological map myself, and strangely enough the same idea occurred to me. So when I built, I examined the whole neighbourhood most thoroughly. However, I found no sign of an outlet.”
David was disappointed. “Well, that’s that, I suppose. It was only a long shot.”
“Just as well,” said Sir Charles. “We might have had to seal it off in case we had trespassers in the huia sanctuary.”
David laughed as he sipped the excellent coffee. In spite of his shyness he managed to get on well with business people.
“Actually, policing the sanctuary is one of our big worries right now,” continued Sir Charles. “Some of my fellow patrons are concerned about the continuation of the search in the area adjoining the sanctuary. They’ve been out almost a week now.”
“Do you think there is some danger to the sanctuary?”
“It’s difficult country and even experienced trampers can get off course. Once the search is over, I think we’ll try to get the Government to gazette the whole of the Raukumara as a sanctuary.”
“Not so good for geologists,” David quipped.
“How right you are.” The barrister smiled. “I suppose I’m an environmentalist at heart, though I have business interests. You mentioned that you’ve decided to undertake a search for your colleague who went missing three years ago.”
“Dr Tane Ngata.”
“I’m so glad you’re doing that. He was a brilliant man. There was always a mystery about why he disappeared, and I wondered why more investigation was not done at the time. As you know I have been on the University Council for the last five years.”
The sympathy was welcome. “I didn’t realise you knew him.”
“I make a point of getting to know staff and what research they’re doing. From my business and professional contacts I am then able to make suggestions about what firms to approach for sponsorships. Come to think of it, I don’t think Tane approached me.”
“He preferred to keep his research to himself.”
“Yes, I believe he had a name for being something of a recluse.”
“Do you know he refused to work for the Geological Survey because he thought the minerals of the world belonged to mankind as a whole?”
“So he was a geologist with a conscience. Such people are to be respected”.
“I thought he wasn’t very realistic. I mean you have to work within the system.”
“Of course, and I expect that is how you carry on your research.”
The thought came to him that Sir Charles would be interested to know more about his research on mineral exploration in Forest Parks.
But his host changed the subject. “May I ask why you enquired about the underground outlet?”
“It’s just a hunch, but my colleague may have visited the Waitoa on his last trip.”
His host put his fingers together and smiled over the top of them. “Really! How interesting!”
“If he’d discovered something and if there was an old underground outlet to the Waitoa, it might have opened up the option of commercial development, probably in conjunction with Whanau Apanui.”
Sir Charles held up his hands deprecatingly. “Oh dear, what a thought! Fortunately, Whanau Apanui is quite satisfied with the huia.” He looked at David reflectively. “However, I do have some interest in mineral exploration in other areas. What do you think he was looking for there?”
“It could be any of a range of minerals. The guano overlaying the calcium could give some interesting possibilities.”
Sir Charles smiled. “Why, you would almost tempt me to give up my huia sanctuary. But seriously though, why did he choose the Waitoa?”
“Because it was so remote.”
“I expect that’s why the huia chose it. But when you enquired about the outlet, you evidently believed that he did discover something.”