AN INTERESTING DISCOVERY.

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

AN INTERESTING DISCOVERY.

On the evening of the Bth (says the Press) it was reported to the police that a skeleton had been found in Mr R. Knight’s bush at Laverick’s Bay, Banks’ Peninsula, Sergeant Brookes went over on the 9th, and, in company with Mr Knight, went to the spot, which is about half-a-mile up the hill, under a precipice. The skeleton, when found, was lying with the head and heels projecting out from the cave, indicating that the body had been turned back double and pushed in. A short distance from the spot there was discovered a small Maori coffin, which had been hewn out of a solid piece of wood. This had a partition down the middle, and was ornamented with red ochre at the end. A small piece of matting was found, which had no doubt been used to wrap the bodies of two children in, as the bones of two children were found near the place, Unfortunately, the mat had been pulled out roughly, and the bones were scattered about. The remains were no doubt those of a Maori, who must have been 6ft lOin in height,

On searching about the spot a small pawa shell was found, with roil ochre in it, also a greenstone adze, a whalebone needle long, and several small pieces of greenstone, one of which had been an ear-drop. From the appearance of the relics it is probable they had been there from forty to fifty years. The little coffin wus taken possession of by Mr Knight.