STRANGER THAN FICTION

Bay of Plenty Beacon, Volume 2, Issue 114, 24 January 1940, Page 4

STRANGER THAN FICTION

Those of our readers interested enough to read the story of an elderly lady recently widowed, who still lives m this district, will find the full account on page 7of this issue. The narrative proves conclusively once again that truth is stranger than fiction. Here is a life story of one vvho as a child barely past the toddling stage was stolen by the Taranaki Maoris, in revenge for what they considered the wilful desecration of their sacred Tapu laws. So carefully was she hidden and so well did the kidnappers cover their tracks that it was not until fifty long and weary years had passed that the mystery was solved and the child, then, an elderly woman married to a Maori Chief, discovered in our own town of Whakatane. Her trials, wanderings and her hardships are retold in our review as she herself has related them.

Settling Peace Terms. Speaking at Wlvangarei on Saturday, Sir Ernest Davis, Mayor of Auckland, gave his views on who should settle the peace after the Avar. "Peace should be settled by generals, not politicians, and then we may have a chance of lasting peace," said Sir Ernest. '"I hold verv strong views oit this."

[t may be Ambergris. A lump as big as a -football, of what may yet turn out to be ambergris, was found after the storm on Ohope Beach by a lady visitor last Sunday. The substance is bluishgrey in colour, and has a most pervading odour. A sample, has been despatched to the curator of the Auckland museum M? Archey, for identification.