Maoris Placed Tapu On Port Waikato

Chronicle (Levin), 18 May 1948, Page 2

Maoris Placed Tapu On Port Waikato

WELLINGTON, Muy 17. The crew membens of the Port Wai- j kato stateil on arnval that the Maoris had placed a tapu on the vessel be- j cau.se of the pvesetice aboard of an archaeologist, Mi.ss„ C. Jefferscm,. wlio has been engaged in research into Moriori relics in the Phathains and was a passenger on the vessel with tlie results of her investigations. The older meuibers of the crew, in traditional superstition, believe the ship's accident was the result of tliis. A passenger who was a resideiit ot the (Jhathains said the .Maoris there probablv had not been opeuly hostile to Miss .TeH'erson while slie was work ing on the islands, Init thev resented the reniains and relics of .Moriori civil isation being disturbed. He said that with three otlier people who had carried out similar research work on the islands, he believed the predictions of misfortune had been borne out. Oue lost his baggage and tlie results of his work, and another, .Mr. Alex >Sliand, had died when his hui was burned on the island. The Maoris, he said, adopted the attitude that wliat relics and history of the Morioris remained was better left umlisturbed. .Miss Jeilerson conlirined that she had been infornied before the Port Waikato sailed that the local Maoris had put a tapu on the sliip. Beyond that she luul no conunent to inake. She had previously carried out archaeological research in Scotland. She said the Morioris were inuch mofe interesting people than thev generally had been given credit for, and their art was ot a higlier order than previously tliouglit. She vvould return to the Chathams foi fnrther research.