The Manawatu Herald. SATURDAY, JANUARY 19, 1907 AN INTERESTING RELIC.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XXIX, Issue 3742, 19 January 1907, Page 2

The Manawatu Herald. SATURDAY, JANUARY 19, 1907 AN INTERESTING RELIC.

Mr Theo. Easton sends us the following clipping published by a Dunedin contemporary in the sixties. Mr Easton remembers the “find,” being at the time prospecting for gold in the same locality.—“ A strange story about New Zealand comes to us from Canada. The Mcleod Gazette, a newspaper published in the Dominion, gives the following : Mr F. Champness, Collector of Customs at Lethbridge, has in his possession a most interesting relic of bygone days, in the shape of a mummy or skeleton. He has this strange object enclosed in a glass case, in the exact position in which it was found. The mummy was discovered by Mr Champness himself, in 1864, on the West Taieri River, near Dunedin, Otago, New Zealand, while prospecting for gold in the mountains. It was found in a"cave, 80 feet from the surface, surrounded by poisonous wood, and a leg-bone of the extinct Moa bird which stood 13 feet high, lying across the head. Around the neck is some plaited human hair, and between the knees the skeleton of a tui bird, a bird which is held in great veneration by the* present Maoris. Mr Champness took this specimen to England, and for some time it

was on exhibition in the British Museum. Dr Owen pronounced it to be the remains of an adult woman, whose height when living was not more than three feet. It has been pronounced by several other well-known men to b: a valuable specimen, owing to its rarity. Several specimens of this race have been found, but none of them, except this one is perfect. The present race of Maoris, who took possession of New Zealand- 800 or goo years ago, know nothing of the existence of this race which inhabited the island before them. Ur Hector, (now Sir James Hector), the Government Geologist ot New Zealand, said there was no doubt the specimen was over iooo years old. The Maoris bury their dead in trees, while this and other specimens were found in caves, showing the existence of the latter before the former came on the scene. Alter Mr Charapness discovered the mummy, he was chased by the police for two days. They thought a murder had been committed, and wanted to hold an inquest.” It is a pity that such valuable relics should be allowed to go out of the colony. Mr Easton informs us that the discoverer asked for the relic, but a purchaser at the price could not be found.