104: Transactions. — Miscellaneous. 



Art. X. — Notes on, some Belies of Cannibalism. 



By H. D. M. Haszard. 



[Read before the Auckland Institute, IMli October', 1889.] 



Just outside of the south head of Whaingaroa, or Eaglan 

 Harbour, between the cliff aiid the sea, there extends a stretch 

 of sand-dunes some chains in width, and in places from 30ft. 

 to 40ft. above high-water mark. 



Some time since, whilst surveying the vicinity, I was 

 fortunate enough to come across some relics of the old canni- 

 bal times, a short description of which may prove of interest to 

 the members of tliis society and the general public. I had 

 heard of bones being occasionally found in the sand, but, on 

 proceeding there one morning after the wind had been blowing 

 for son)e days from the north-east, I was surprised to find that 

 a great deal of the superincumbent sand had been carried 

 out to sea, exposing what had evidently been the camping- 

 ground of the natives during some of their sanguinary 

 feasts. 



In two distinct places, about four chains apart, there were 

 a number of kapura Maori, or native ovens, scattered about 

 in no regular order, but each group contained within a radius 

 of about 40ft. Among the stones of the ovens were lying char- 

 coal and the charred remains of bones : the former was 

 remarkable for its fresh appearance, and, as far as looks go, 

 might have been burnt only a few weeks ago. Near the ovens 

 there were great quantities of huixian bones ; in some places 

 being in little piles, with the larger bones split as if to get at 

 the marrow, before being dispensed with by the picnickers. 

 In other places there were odd bones scattered about, and still 

 further away there were some complete, or nearly complete, 

 skeletons sticking up through the sand, whicli, judging from the 

 size of the frames and the state of tlie teeth, may possibly 

 have belonged to some hoary old warriors who had looked too 

 tough to be eaten, and had been given their quietus simply to 

 keep them out of further mischief. I also noticed some bones 

 that, from their size, must have belonged to children. 



Among the debris there were plenty of fish-bones, the 

 tamnre [Pagrns vnicolor), kahajrai (Arrijjis salar), and kanae 

 (Mugil peril sii) being conspicuous, also the j;*};/ (Venus stutcli- 

 buryi) and other common shell-fish ; so that the feasters had 

 evidently not depended altogether on one course. 



I searched carefully to see if I could find anything to throw 

 light on the discussion as to whether the nioa was used as 

 food by the natives, but could not see any trace of large 

 bones. 



