56 Transactions. — Miscellaneous. 



of Kaiapoi, where tliey are comparatively narrow, along the eastern boundary 

 of Christchurch to the northern foot of the Peninsula, gradually diverging 

 more and more. 



In my former paper, entitled "Moasand Moa Hunters" (''Transactions of 

 the New Zealand Institute," vol. iv., page 89), I have already alluded to the 

 fact that the ovens of the moa hunters were confined to the inner lines of these 

 dunes, and a further close examination of the district between Christchurch and 

 New Brighton has confirmed fully my former more local observations. Thus 

 it is evident that when the former inhabitants of this part of New Zealand 

 existed principally upon the chase of the Moa, the sand dunes had scarcely 

 reached the foot of the Peninsula, where now the Ferry Road crosses the 

 Heathcote, and consequently that the whole breadth of the sand dunes from 

 opposite that locality to the Sumner bar, where they have now their south- 

 eastern termination, have been formed since. 



There are some Maori ovens and kitchen middens on the northern side of 

 the Heathcote estuary, but they invariably contain only shell-beds. 



Position of the Cave. 



When the cavity now called the Moa-bone Point Cave was enlarged by 

 the waves of the sea, the estuary of the Heathcote- A von in its present form 

 was not yet in existence. Close to this cavity, on its western side, a hard 

 doleritic lava stream, now passed through by the Sumner Koad cutting, reached 

 for some distance into the sea, forming a small headland, against which, 

 principally on its eastern side, the waves of the Pacific ocean broke with con- 

 siderable force. Masses of rock were detached by the surf being taken along 

 in an easterly direction for about a quarter of a mile forming a ridge, 

 gradually becoming lower and losing itself amongst the sands. 



The formation of this ridge principally took place when this portion of the 

 peninsula was some 12 to 15 feet lower than at present, the upper line of 

 boulders being about 16 feet above the present high-water mark. When the 

 land rose again the sea was cut off by this boulder ridge from the entrance 

 of the cave, a huge rock lying here nearly across, protecting it at the same 

 time from being filled up by the deposits of drift sands now forming on the 

 flat close to it. 



A second and lower line of boulders was formed in front of the former, 

 about 5 feet above the present high-water mark, with a small terraced space 

 behind it. Since then other deposits, formed in the Avon- Heathcote estuary, 

 have been added as a small bolt in front of this last line of boulders, brought 

 into its present position by the action of the open sea. 



In section No. 1 (Plate I.), I have given the necessary details iu illus- 

 tration of these points. 



