ANCIENT ADZE FOUND.

King Country Chronicle, Volume IV, Issue 240, 9 March 1910, Page 5

ANCIENT ADZE FOUND.

- Ceremony at Cotirl House. Before proceeding with the ordinary business Saturday morning at the Native Land Court, Te Ktfiti, Judge Rawson bad some interesting remarks to make in connection with a valuable greenstone adze which had been placed in his charge to hand over to the proper Native authorities. It appears that the adze was found by Mr. E. H. Hardy on some Native land leased by him at Waiteti, just outside Te Kuiti. The Natives knew that the adze was lost somwhere thereabouts, and it is said £2OO had been offered to anyone finding it. Mr. Hardy communicated witb the Hon. Jas. Carroll, who left the matter in the hands of Judge Rawsoi] to ascertain the proper person to hand it tu. The Judge, in addressing the gathering of Natives, said that they would all appreciate Mr. Hardy's action, and the straightforward and upright manner in which he had acted. The Crown Law officers, too, might have held the adze as treasure trove and the property of the Crown. The Native Minister had, however, told him to use his own discretion. He frad the adze there and proposla to hand it over. Patupatu Keepa, of Rotorua, said they were very pleased to hear the expressions made by the Court and thanked the Native Minister,, the judge, and Mr. Hardy for the work they had done in the recovery of the stone. He was pleased to know that •Mr. Hardy realised how very important this heirloom was to the Natives. They would give full expression o£ their feelings towards Mr. Hardy on another occasion, fie thought he was the proper person to receive the stone, and if the Judge handed it to him he would keep it privately until a meeting of the people was called, when he would produce it. The Court need have no fear as to the results of his receiving it Taonui (the elder of the tribe) asked that the adze be handed direct to himself.

Mr. John Hetet expressed his satisfaction at the action of the Minister, the Judge, and Mr. Hardy. The Court was asked to appoint a person to receive the adze from the Judge. With all due respect he thought Taonui, their elder, was the proper person. After discussing the matter amongst themselves the Natives decided that the adze should be handed to Waiko-

hika Kereti, (who instructed Patupatu

Keepa to procure the axe) and from *-her it would go to Patupatu Keepa, and then to Taonui. The Judge accordingly handed the adze to Waikohika Kereti. The adze is a very fine example of what corresponds to the work of our stone age. It is of greenstone, about 15 inches long, four inches wide, and Weighs- perhaps five pounds.' It is from ; 300 t'o "4'oo ; o]d; gnc] ?s a Jgost valued heirloom of"the' tribe to mhich a lucky find has'now restored .it.