PETRIFIED MAN.

Hokitika Guardian, 20 February 1926, Page 3

PETRIFIED MAN.

OBVIOUSLY A HOAX. WELLINGTON. February 18. The story which gained newspaper currency last year to the effect that in a wild and inaccessible loealilv near Wanganui that had been kept secret, a strange discovery was made by a survey party of a petrified man. fashioned in stone, seems to he a hoax. The honorary curator of the Wanganui Museum, in reporting un the matter tn (he Minister of Internal Affairs, the linn If. F. Bollard, states: " [ call only sav I do not know the locality of the petrified man. I have made numerous inquiries about it but have laded to discover who the persons are who reported it. Bike others, I only know what appeared in the Press. I am. however. of opinion that the whole thing is a hoax, otherwise, we should surely have heard more about it. ‘‘Hansard” shows that when the discovery of the alleged petrified man was made known the then inomlier for A\ nmiariiio (Air Laiigstnne) brought’ the matter before Parliament, asking that a geologist and an anatomist lie sent lo the cave to have the petrified man investigated before the find was interfered with. A promise of investigation was made.

Like manv other similar strange finds, the story of the Wanganui petrified man had its humorous turn. Al the time it was stated that a syndicate of AYaiiganiii business men had been formed to go into the matter to rescue the venerable relic from the hack o’ beyond. The report stated: "One of the members of the syndicate stated to a ‘Herald’ reporter this morning that all arrangements had been completed to retrieve the stone man and bring him to AYnnganui. It will necessitate the elmi tei mg of a small steamer and the provi-ion of the necessary tools and gear to cut. out a solid block of about five tons ol limestone, transport it. and ship it.’ The question was asked: ‘ls il for the Wanganui .Museum 'Not on your life.’ said the member of the syndicate. "We are going to take it on tour. There is a fortune in it.’ ”