THE CAVE DRAWINGS
Sir,-I have been most interested in Mr. Theo Schoon’s letters in your paper, exhorting public and State interest in the ancient Moriori and Maori cave drawings. While I can claim no artistic appreciation of these drawings, I consider the visual impact of this primitive art most enriching, both mentally and emotionally. They form, as it were, an historical monument .and are part of our heritage as New Zealanders. Throughout other colonised countries of the world, similar drawings have been established as tourist and artistic attractions. The extent of these drawings in New Zealand is not known, and I agree with Mr. Schoon that a comprehensive survey is necessary to enable the enactment of protective legislation. We are immediately concerned with the impending destruction of the cave drawings along the banks of the Waikato River. I have seen only one of these shelters, which is at a point where the Waipapa Creek joins the Waikato River. A formed road, to permit exploration for the site of the Waipapa dam passes the base of the drawings, and test drillings are being carried out less than twenty yards away. All necessary equipment is on the spot and a private contractor engaged on test drilling estimated that this complete cave could be moved to a safe site, without damage, at a cost of approximately £600, The formation of this cave or shelter establishes a natural monument which, even transferred, would retain its full perfection. The shelter is some twentyfive feet high and ten feet wide at base. It resembles the interior of a half section of a Maori canoe, in short, a Gothic niche. The drawings in this cavity, in black and red, depict a great variety of motifs, each one of singular interest and beauty. I would imagine the destruction of these drawings would mean the loss of important material for historical research. It seems ironical that the machinery to obliterate the drawings is at hand and could be turned so easily to implement their preservation. In the concluding paragraph of his letter, May 18, Mr, Schoon has emphasised that destruction of cave drawings is now occurring, The need for action is urgent.
WM.
GIRLING-BUTCHER
(Kaikohe).
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New Zealand Listener, Volume 24, Issue 623, 8 June 1951, Page 5
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366THE CAVE DRAWINGS New Zealand Listener, Volume 24, Issue 623, 8 June 1951, Page 5
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