More about the Maori Relic.

Thames Star, Volume XIV, Issue 4436, 24 March 1883, Page 2

More about the Maori Relic.

(Pee Pjbess Association.) Wellington, This day. Mr Eobert Graham writes as follows to the New Zealand. Times regarding the Maori image:—" In the year 1878, when I went to Rotorua at the request of the chiefs, I was presented with a piece of land by the whole tribe at Koutu and Kawata, and also with some mats, paddles, rugs, etc., as a mark of respect for having been the means of averring a war at Maketu; a few months afterwards, I applied to the chief Petera Pukua&a to see the Maori image Matuatonga; he said I must apply to Wi Kupa Ngamiha. Some time after I went to Mokoia, and Wi Kupa consented tolet the image be dug up. Petera Pokino and his brother knew where it was buried, and ! they dug it up. On a future occasion I took a German commissioner and a doctor over to Makoia, and got Petera Pokeno to show it to them. A native, present from Te Whiti, at Parihaka, arnved.at Ohinemutu, and went into the question of title, and found that the Matuatonga belonged to Wi Kupa and Petera Pokeno. They then hauded it over to me as por agreement written in Maori, and signed by them afterwards. I took a party of eight to Mokoia, and had it dug up and shown to them, so that for some time the mana rested with me; lately I have had a care in the garden of Lake House cleared

out, and at a meeting lately, WiKupa agreed to have Matuatqnga brought o*er for the purpose of having it placed m the cave. I objected, as Petera Pokino thought I had better build a house for it at Makoia, which I agreed to do; but the following day Petera Pokeno called and said be had consulted with some natives, and wished to bring Ma uatonga over to my garden. When I left O linemutu I arrarged that it should remain where it was tor the present, aid to my great surprise, the native brought it over and placed it in my bath house. Next day I eot a telegram to say .that a Mr Whitcombe had written out a warrant and got the constable to seize the image and remove it to the gaol. The title to the image now awaits trial. lam sorry I cannot be at Ohinemutu in time to see that the facts are brouaht out, as I have had to proceed to Wellington as a delegate in re the Thames Valley Railway Companyffor the image was presented to me by the rightful owners.