ROBBING THE DEAD.

Temuka Leader, Issue 1174, 15 November 1883, Page 3

ROBBING THE DEAD.

We take the following from the Taranaki Herald ;

Some fifteen years ago a Maori chiefUiness of high rank died at her settlement near Stony River, and she was buried with great pomp and ceremony after the fashion of the Maoris, The tangi having been ended, which lasted many days, the remains of the defunct Maori lady was buried in a secluded spot near her settlement. Her beloved husband caused to be placed in her coffin all the finery which she was wont to appear on an important occasions, including a silk dress, numerous other articles of female adornment, not omitting a famous greenstone, which she had worn as an earring, but the weight of which had mutilated her ear until it was no longer possible to wear it. In addition to these valuable articles the affectionate husband caused 15 sovereigns to be deposited in the coffin, as part of the property of the deceased. The sovereigns, it is stated, were given to her by the late Rev Mr Whitely (probably as a token of good will). No one but the chief knew of the sovereigns being buried, although it was well known that the greenstone and other valuables were in the coffin ; but there was no fear of the Maoris disturbing the hallowed quiet of the grave for the purpose of plunder. So much, however, cannot be said in favor of the pakeha, for after fourteen years’ peaceful slumber it was discovered a few days ago that the remains of the departed chieftainess had been exhumed and some of the valuable article buried with her, stolen. Information was sent to the police, and Captain Ryan went out to the settlement and found beyond doubt the grave had been opened and the dead robbed. The 15 sovereigns were, of course, gone, but the greenstone had not been touched. The silk dress, in which the deceased was arrayed when placed in the coffin, strange to say, was there in all its original lustre, sound and perfect in every respect. The other articles of clothing had rotted and fallen to fragments, being almost unrecognisable. The aged chief, whose name is Porikapa, is much distressed at what has occurred, and be will only be pacified by the offender being brought to justice. It is generally thought to have been the work of a European, but how the European could have found out the spot is a mystery. The grave was opened during the absence of the natives from the settlement.