EXCITEMENT AT OHAU.

Otaki Mail, Volume XXVIII, 31 May 1920, Page 4

EXCITEMENT AT OHAU.

MAORI WEAPONS LOCATED, A rather remarkable incident, invested with much historical interest, took place at the . Kuku, Ohau, on Thursday Inst, resulting in the recovery ox' two ancient Maori weapons known as patu paraua, or lighting meres. It had been known to the older generation of the Ohau Maoris that the mores had been buried by their former owners about forty years ago, to prevent their going out of the tribal district, but (heir hiding place had remained a mystery. Owing to the great value, historical and otherwise, attached to them, the present descendants of the tribe were anxious that the patus should, if possible, be recovered, and they invoked the aidVof Mrs Tnkurangi, wife .if the Hon. Te Heuhcu Takiuo, M.L.C., who is credited by the Natives with the possession of certain occult powers. .Ura Tnkurangi arrived in Ohau on Tuesday, and Wednesday was devoted to the performance of the ancient ceremonica in preparation for the quest. The attempt to locate the meres was iixed for 2 p.m. on Thursday, and when ;hnt hour arrived such was the interest in the matter among the natives that the whole neighbourhood turned out ;o witness the proceedings. Two or thrco European* were also interested spectators. Prior to the search commencing further rites were observed. 3 ii(l at the hour fixed Mrs Taknrnngi bet out on her venture. The scene was laid off the main Kuku road, and a few hundred yards to the rear of Mr Pink's residence. Leading a procession of about 120 persons, the chief actor took a course for some distance through the bush and then over some maize cultivations, and again entered a bush pathway, which eventually reached a stagnant, wood-covered watercourse. Sere L ;ho halted, and placing a stick in the ;i„und a( the water's edge, declared liuit the lost meres would be found there. A spade was procured, find on digging down a depth of about two ,'eet the mcrcs were unearthed.

The weapons were in an excellent tale of preservation in spite of the Jung'period during which they had hvcii buried. Both sire made from whalebone, and their fine surfaces indicate the patient labour of the Ancient Maori workman. linen is about l(j inches in length, the greatest width ; of the blades being about four inches. ! whilst each has a nicely rounded • handle with eyelet for attaching a wrist cord. Their weight would be , about two and a half pounds each. ■ One of the weapons is much scarred j and chipped round the blnde, an ert- ; deuce that it had seen plenty of una., iu the stirring days of tribal warfare. , Mr Robert Knnsficld, of Mnnakaii, } „,,, 0 f the oldest natives of this coast. j

recounted some particulars concerning iho long-lost patus. He stated that the weapons were owned by their ancestors. Koroniria and Paretiwhana, n-|io buried the meres to prevent their being lost, but prior to their deaths rltd not in form their descendants of tlir hiding place. The patus were formerly weapons of war. and being tnpu, were greatly treasured. 11 whs behoved that the low of the patus had acted detrimentally to the well being of the later generations of the former chieftain owners, hence the desire to recover them and break the evil spell. To one of the weapons further historical interest is attached on account of its bieng recognised as having if« origin in the South Island, being formerly the property of a member of the Ngatikuio tribe, of the Pounds district, Marlborough. There arc different historical versions as to how this weapou found its way among the Ngatitukorehc tribe of Ohau. and inquiries nre to be made on the point. In the meantime the mere will be left iu the keeping of Mr Ransfield. of Manak.au.—'' Chronicle.''