RELICS OF THE MAORI.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XXXV, Issue 1124, 24 July 1913, Page 4

RELICS OF THE MAORI.

valuable DISCOVERY,

Two Waverley residents who were out shooting on the sand hills at the beach are reported to have made a discovery which promises to be the most valuable of its kind heard of ou the coast for many years. One of them, It appears, noticed a small greenstone tiki in the sand at his feetIt was a neat design, and in an excellent state of preservation. The discovery encouraged further investigation. A couple of stakes were procured, and the lucky sportsmen realised that they were actually on genuine treasure ground. Axe heads of all shapes and sizes, bone meres, ornaments, fish hooks and many other objects which constituted the stock-in-trade of the Maori of early days were brought to light, together with numerous human bones.

A reporter subsequently learned that the remains of an old pa are visible in the sand, and that several posts, from which the carving is almost worn away, are visible at intervals along the surface of the sand. The sand at this point has been shifting for several years, and this, aided by the wind, has evidently caused the exposure of what appears to be an old Maori village. The discoverers intend making another trip to further prosecute the discovery and uueaith any more treasure trove that may be within digging distance. The find should prove of some interest to museum authorities.