A SACRED STONE

Bay of Plenty Beacon, Volume 1, Issue 37, 17 July 1939, Page 5

A SACRED STONE

ROADING ENDANGERS IT ANCIENT MAORI ASSOCIATIONS Has provision been made for the preservation of the ''sacred stone" on the roadside near Pakipaki now that the Public Works Department has begun the straightening of the main highway? This question is at present being asked by numbers of Hawke's Bay residents who are interested in the safety of this Maori relic, on which hangs a romantic tale. It is understood that representations have) already been made ,to have the stone placed in some safe position if it .should be necessary to move it says the Hawke's Bay Tribune. (Few motorists using the main high way are aware of the fascinating history of the well known sacred stone ! or 'wishing rock' which lies on the edge of the road, on the right-hand s'de of those travelling south from Hastings. It is quite to "The Kennels'" at Pakipaki. The stone is of considerable interest to the Maori people of Hawke's Bay, particularly to the Ngati-Kohun gungu tribe. Around it is built up a tradit : on that has all the appealing beauty and significance of Maori lore and "which links the present closely with early history. It was insisted bv the NgatLKohungungu tribe that Hawke's Bay Maoris should be buried at Papipaki or Omahu. Tn transporting the bodies to these burial grounds certain customs had to be scrupulously obeyed, among them the injunction that at no period of the journey was the bo'lv lo be d -posited upon the ground For this reason it came to be customary for the weary bearers to take rnst they sorely needed by placing the comse upon this la r ge rock which stands about four fe-1 high. When they had recovered sufficientlv. they would resume the journey, safe in the krow'ledge that thev had "iot committed the forbidden act, but had fulfilled to the letter all that wis demanded of them. Th\s landmark; so rich in historical tradition, has been treated throughout the years with reverence and respect by the pakeha, as well as fchei Maori.