PRE-HISORIC NEW ZEALAND

Horowhenua Chronicle, 23 May 1910, Page 4

PRE-HISORIC NEW ZEALAND

To tlio Editor. Sir, —In previous issues you have mentioned the finds of piles of rook and their markings in the far nor'th of Now ' Zealand by j\lr Clement Wragge. The photographs of these finds are Very interesting to those who; are fond of searching into 'the records of the past, and if, as Mr Wragge affirms, the gmit wall of rock formation near 'the Hay of Islands, was pi need in position, by the hands of mognlithie mail, thousands of years prior to tlio advent of the Maori to New Zealand, it opens up a study of an intensely interesting nature.

One great wall which Mr Wragge calls attention to is formed partly of solid columns and partly of piled rock, .interspersed. In another place, near the coast, the piles of stone seem to be the remains of some lingo stone rampart. Then again, a peculiar rock carving has just been discovered on the west coast of .the Coroinandel Peninsula by Mr 11. Turner, which Mr Wragge claims is another link to prove his contention that prehistoric man inhabited New Zealand. Tho monument weighs about 18cwt and is said to bo of great age.

fn a note to me some days ago Mr Wragge says: "1 liavo further evidence of those stones and markings being prehistoric. Two triangles are 'there, showing chisel marks." If these triangles are interlaced they leave little room to doubt their ancient origin. An Auckland paper now calls Attention to a large number of drains on ;the west coast of this island, between Kaipura and Hokianga, and says "there are those in the Ivaipara who firmly believe that the drains in question were the work of man in the prehistoric period." At the recent conversazione to the Hon. T. Mackenzie, these works of industry were referred to by Mr Edwin Harding, says the Xorth Auckland Times, ami so interested was the Minister that ho asked .Mr Harding to furiiisk him with a record of the matter. Mr Harding aequiesced, and -ho forwarded tho following data :— "Throughout the region on tin; West Coast, noi'tli of Auckland, between Kaipara and Hokianga, there is evidence of its having been occupied iu bygone ages by a dense agricultural population. Beyoirt the common remains of the Maori pas and the vast heap of debris and shells, which witness to tho people having been a fish and shellfishcaiting race, there are other things not so easily explained. Almost all cif the high-level swumps within the above-meiiitio,ne(l district have been systematically drained and cultivated. Few, if any, implements have been found, and though the writer has made wide inquiry Among the Maoris concerning Itlhese drains, there does not seem to exist anything in the way of report or tradition. One very old Maori stated that 'the father of tho oldest man living did limit know who made these drains.' There aro certain striking features. The drains, however long, aro absolutely straight as though run by theodolyte. There is one about two miles in length. The wide drains are well and systematically laid out. The nearest point has usually been chosen for the outflail. although this .has, (in some eases, necessitated cutting through a high spur: as much as 20 to ill) feet in depth being cut. There are plaices where the work has not been completed, one special instance being a very high spur which has been cut into from beith sides, but remains unfinished. Now, it is customary with civilised races to follow the fall of the water, and not to be particular about straight lines. This is true of the 'Maori rn-dav. The evidences of this ancient industry arouse in one's mind the feeling that some master mind must have at some time dominated 'tho people, and lead them to greater enterprise." IT time would give up its ancient records what astou-nding histories would be given to humanity.— f am, etc., W. 0. XATfOX.