MAORI MEMORIES

Wairarapa Times-Age, 18 November 1939, Page 9

MAORI MEMORIES

WERE MOAS ALIVE' IN 1800? (Recorded by J.H.S. for “Times-Age.’') Colonel McDonald, of military fame in 1868 left an interesting record of Sir George Grey’s visit to the “war front” in Taranaki, when Tawhito Rangi (ancient days) whose age may then have been 90 years but was estimated by his vigour as 75. recited his life's experience of which Sir George took many notes. Tawhito said; "The Bible story of Creation must be true, because in it the missionaries have copied the ancient Maori story of Rangi and Papa (the Sky and .the Earth)." At the mouth of the Wai Ngongoro (Snoring river) we sat in the sand for lunch, when we discussed the recent find of Moa bones in that vicinity. Reckoning the years by the generations of his own family he said that he and his father hunted Moas near that spot about the year 1800. Taking us to the cliff side on the western bank he pointed to the spot where they roasted a Moa and relieved their hunger. Tawhito became angry when we doubted his words. Sir George ordered the men working on the military track to excavate the site. At a depth of five feet numerous bones of great size were found. The thigh bones were broken to extract the oil and marrow. Strangely enough not only was the Moa wingless but it further resembled the animal kingdom in having marrow bones instead of air as in other birds. Tawhito also described its plumage as brown and hairy (Uru Kehu). This, too. has been confirmed by subsequent discoveries.