OLD WHALEBONE MERE FOUND IN AUCKLAND.

Shannon News, 16 August 1929, Page 4

OLD WHALEBONE MERE FOUND IN AUCKLAND.

SOME MAORI HISTORY. WHEN, THE NGAPUHI BESIEGED TAMAKI. . An old Maori mere was discovered recently while further excavations were being made m the basement of the new Civic Theatre building at the Civic Square, Auckland. The'club has been made from whalebone, and is carved, and those who have seen it regard it is a very fine example of old native craftsmanship. It is in a remarkable stae of preservation, although it has been buried for many years.

The mere was found in a spot near the western bank, of the old Ligar Canal (Wai-horo-tiii), which ran down to the sea on the course now occupied by Queen street. The canal at one time furnished early Auckland's watersupply, and can still be remembered by some of the older inhabitants. It would be difficult" to conjecture at what time this weapon was in use, or at -what time it was left in the spot in which it was found. There were no Maori settlements in that part of Auckland. The population was installed on the volcanic hills surrounding what is now the city. Tamaki was the chief stronghold, and had. been the scene of almost continual tribal warfare for centuries, from the time when Maki came from Ngati-awa of Taranaki, working his way via Eawhia and Waiakto •to Tamaki, capturing the Earatonga pa (Mount Smart) through battle after battle until the time of Hongi *s invasion in 1821. To Hinaki, then chief of the people of Tamaki, prepared his fortifications at Mokoia and Mauiuiua for the storm that was about to break. The Ngapuhi tribe duly arrived and began a blockade of the Tamaki forts. After a long seige the Mokoia fort was captured, and Te Hinaki and a number of His people were slain. For some years after this the Tamaki'isthmus and the area now occupied by Auckland city seems to have been a sort of "no man's land," and with the coming of civilised government, intertribal warfare passed away forever.

The finding of a single Maori weapon seems to point to the fact that sonic Maori warrior, probably of the Ngapuhi'tribe, had rested on the banks of the ancient stream where he was attacked and either he or his assailant killed; the weapon falling into the and remaining where it fell until it was discovered to-day.

A greenstone pendant was found about two weeks ago on another part of the excavations. Unfortunately, the speed which has to be maintained ov the construction of the theatre, will not permit of further investigation, otherwise more interesting relics might have been discovered.