THE Kawhia Settler. FRIDAY, APRIL 27, 1906. MAORI RELICS.

Kawhia Settler and Raglan Advertiser, Volume IV, Issue 256, 27 April 1906, Page 2

THE Kawhia Settler. FRIDAY, APRIL 27, 1906. MAORI RELICS.

When the members of the Crown Land Board passed through Kawhia on tbeir late tour of inspection they stayed at Nukuhakari, and were made welcome by the hospitable Mr Malcolm Sherft ; who for years has lived an isolated life in that almo-t unravelled part of our rugged coast line. The track, if such it can be called, to Mr Shera’s kainga is, from either side Kawbia or Mokau, anything but an inviting one to travel on, and few care to venture it more than once, While there the members-of-the Land Board pirty were pointed out a site op Te Roa Point where is built a whare par ly in a eave or overhanging rock said to be once occupied by the well known old fighting chief Te Ranparaba. This tradition is firmly believed in, and averted to be a fact by all tbe older natives now living here, and if it is true it follows that this whare must be over 90 years old—surely tbe oldest still standing in New Zealand- Tbe curiosity of some of the Land Board party was at once excited and they determined to pay it a vi-it. It by no means easy of access and considerable difficulty was experienced in get ting to it. It had to bo approached from the sea side and was found in a most unlikely place to find such a structure, half way up a ravine, aud could only be reached after some difficult climbing. It was evidently a very old whare, although the timbers seemed sound, even the kakabo stalk* wi:b which it is lined weie fairly well preserved and showed the neat and. careful workmanship usually put into these erections that were to be used as wharepunis by arikis and chiefs. Tbe roof was mostly covered by the debris falling on it from the erosion of tbe rock by which it is surrounded, and probably that ar.d its dry situation and being only exposed tc a northerly wind may account to a great extent for it.« preservation. Wo a-e making enquiries amongst the oldjr natives as to the authenticity of ibis tradhi n and if possible find out why it was built where it is, and why it should have been chosen as a dwelling pine*, if such it was, by Te Rauparaba. P snibly some facta /pay be brought out in this enquiry of mugh local, if not general, interest touching native cus tom and history of a period of which little is known, the lime immediately prior to tbe settlement of tbe pnkeha in lhesfi i-lands. With the result of these we wilt acquaint pu

readers later. Meantime, until the native account of this whare is verified cr otherwise, it would be a ' graceful act on (he part of the Government io endeavour to prevent any act of van-

dalism taking place, Mr Shera, who lives within two miles of it would if given authority certainly do his best to preserve it intact. We would call the attention of the Scenery Preservation Commission to this matter and regret that our information did not reach us in time to put before the S<oratory, Mr Smith, daring his Ute visit.