Rare Maori Ornaments Unearthed by Workmen

Manawatu Times, Volume 62, Issue 19, 23 January 1937, Page 3

Rare Maori Ornaments Unearthed by Workmen

BLENHEIM, Jan. 20. A discovery of considerable importance to students of Maori history and probably one of substantial value, was made recently near the Public Works camp at Aniseed, on the South Island main trunk railway, when two objects which have since been identilied as very rare Maori ceremonial ornaments, were discovered buried at the foot of a dead tree trunk. The discovery was made soon after the access road to the site of the proposed schoolroom at Aniseed was commenced, around the slope of an old Maori hill fort. A dead tree trunk was uprooted and one workman saw a small package of old, rotted fibre, which, together with the soil from around the ancient roots, slid down the hillside and fell apart. Inside the package were the two ornaments. It is presumed that the original owner many years ago hid the package in a hollow under the roots of the tree for safety. The articles were shown to Mr W. J. Phillips, of the Dominion Museum, who described his handling of teem, as one of those pleasurable moments only too rare in the life of an ardent and enthusiastic student of Maori antiques. It would seem that there are only three such others in existence, and those are in the Otago Museum. Discussing their value, Mr Phillips said he could not be too definite, but ho thought that it wealthy collectors should begin to bid for them the price would certainly be more than the museum could afford to pay. Mr Phillips is having an exhaustive inquiry made and will in all probabilty prepare a paper for publication dealing with the historical usage and import of the ornaments. They aro roughly triangular in shape and flat, resembling miniature harps. Their longest side measures about six inches, and in serrated on the outer edge. Teeth run across the centre of the triangle. In colour they are white, the substance having been identified as moa bone. They are decoratively carved in the usual Maori fashion.