494 Transactions. — Miscellaneous. 



Akt. LXX. — Discovery of Maori Implements at Tahaka, 



Nelson. 



By E. I. KlNGSLEY. 



[Read before the Nelson Philosophical Society, 28th March, 1892.] 



Plate LIV. 



Duking my recent trip to the Takaka district I camped for 

 one night near Kangihaieta, or Black's Point. I had pre- 

 viously been told that the natives had a legend that at this 

 spot, before the advent of the pakeha, there had been a 

 massacre of their race by an invasion from the North Island. 

 I was further informed that there was not the least likelihood 

 of making any discovery of native relics, as the place had been 

 thoroughly searched again and again. 



Mr. Bryant and myself arrived on the spot late in the 

 afternoon, and as soon as the camp had been pitched, &c, I 

 started to reconnoitre, as the shades of evening were fast 

 falling, and I wished for a clear, definite programme for an 

 earlier morning start. 



After ascending the headland, and taking a hasty survey 

 of the surroundings, and as I turned to retrace my steps, I 

 endeavoured to picture to myself the probable line of attack 

 and retreat, &c. As if by an inspiration I seemed at a glance 

 to comprehend the whole scene ; and, further, in the event of 

 a wounded chief fleeing for his life, one spot appeared the 

 most likely for him to endeavour to reach, and there I argued 

 he would be most probable to hide his axes or any other 

 articles he valued. In the twilight I went straight to the 

 spot (a group of limestone rocks). When near, I found there 

 were several holes and cavities in them, some filled with 

 stones. My mind was concentrated upon one of these ; and 

 after removing the loose stones, at a distance of about 18in. I 

 could distinctly feel the end of a stone axe. After some trouble 

 I removed it, and then, digging into the soil with my fingers, 

 I unearthed two bone points for spears (PI. LIV.). On the 

 following morning, after five or six hours' fruitless search all 

 around the headland, I completed the search in this same 

 cavity, and unearthed another axe of very hard stone, 4^in. 

 by 2^in., a thin greenstone axe with a hole drilled in it, a 

 bone implement which I take to be some kind of whistle, 

 and which Professor Hutton states is made from the human 

 radius, a small piece of white quartz-crystal, some pipi shells 

 (Mesodesma novce-zealandia), and vertebras and jaw-bones of 

 barracouta (Thyrsitcs atun). 



