ROBBING THE DEAD.

Wairarapa Daily Times, Volume 5, Issue 1514, 20 October 1883, Page 4

ROBBING THE DEAD.

Some fourteen years ago a Maori 1 chieftainess of high rank died at her settlement near Stony River, and she 1 was buried with great pomp and cere--1 moiiy after the fashion of the Maoris. ■ The tangi having been ended, which had lasted many days, the remains of the defunct Maori lady were buried in a secluded spot near her settlement. Her beloved husband caused to he placed in her coffin all the finery which she was wont to appear in on important occasions, including a silk dress, numerous other ai tides 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 \s deposited in the coffin, as being 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 'icing buried, although it was well known that the greenstone and other valuables weie in the coffin; but there was no fear of tho Maoris disturbing the hallowed quiet of the grave for the purpose of plunder, So much cannot be said in favor of the Pakeha, for after fourteen years peacefuf slumber it was discovered a few days ago that the remains of tho departed chieftainness had been exhumed and some of the valuable articles buried with her, stolen, Information was sent to the police, and Constable Ryan went out to the settlement yesterday and found that beyond doubt tho gravo had been opened, and the dead robbed. The fifteen sovereigns were, of course, gone, but the greenstono had not been touched. The 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 Allien to fragments, being almost unrecognisable. The aged chief, whoso name in Porikapa, is much distressed at what has occurred and he will only be pacified by tho offender being brought to justice. It is generally thought to have been the work of a European, but how tho European could have found tho spot is a mystery. The grave was opened during the absence of tho natives from the settlement.—Taranaki Herald,