MAORI MEMORIES

Wairarapa Times-Age, 30 January 1941, Page 2

MAORI MEMORIES

DEFENCES. - Recorded by J.ILS., of Palmerston North, for the "Times-AgtV’) 1 ne hctitis of deud enemies were preserved, in a wonderful way by heat and some secret method known to the pries* alone. These mounted on pules as Men Tapu tsacred things) were an effective defence against attack when Miown above the walls of the Pa. The heads and bodies of their own Chiefs were also preserved as mementoes of hertnym. The secret of preservation would appear to have been derived from some prehistoric people, probably the ancient Egyptians. A French writer says the knew the secret of pyruligneous tteul as a preservative—that i.s obviously fielion. AH '.hey knew ,-f chemistry was that wind. heat, and smoke prevented decay, and these were used to preserve the stores of winter food, their method ..f using (hem was and still is Few o|x.-n battles were risked. Building. defending, and attacking Mockelf..rt lo capture II or kill the defendHavmg ’built an equally : trotij; Pa within a short d.-tanee the attackers then it ’.'.as their dut> ; tt.o i: Pack pl’ised <>r '-xhatisied P’’(* W "'. •■*•(’■«.•<! jr. iibiHiU* lilt’ <’Gt‘ ;■ I? 'A. i