RELICS OF THE PAST.

Auckland Star, Volume XXXIX, Issue 67, 18 March 1908, Page 8

RELICS OF THE PAST.

SKELETONS DISCOVERED. NEAR ' MOUNT TE AROHA. Whilst Messrs. J. Guilding and J. Salmon of Te Aroha were hunting about iv the ranges near the waterfall on Sunday, last they discovered a hole in the mountain side which had been hidden from view for many years by the bush" and fern, burnt off by the recent *fire. On delving into the rock they unearthed portions of ten human skeletons, soma of which were in a good state of preservation, whilst others crumbled' to pieces on being handled. The strange part ia there are no rib or body bones. Most of the heads are large and well-formed. The discoverers have little doubt but that there are more skeletons in the cave, but owing to the presence of an unsafe looking rock which overhangs the en* trance they deemed it inadvisable to attempt to widen the opening. Mr. Guilding was fortunately in a position to supply the following particulars which he obtained from a grandson of one of the warriors, Tutuki, who diei in Te Aroha some 15 or 20 years ago:— About 150 years ago there were ttfo pas at Te Aroha, one near the present site of the railway bridge, occupied by tbe elder brother, called Hau Hau Pah,, and the other on the ranges near ths waterfall occupied by the younger brother, called Tutumangeao Pah. Both brothers belonged to the Ngatihue tribe. The tribes were composed of warriors, but there was never any fighting between the two pas, the brothers living peacefully, but being always ready to meet any hostile tribes who threatened their territory. Owing to the people belonging to tse two tribes being warriors they were buried on the opposite side of the town, in the ranges, so as to prevent their bodies being devoured by any enemies who might come along, and wha would easily have discovered the bodies had they been buried in the open country. This accounts for the skeletons being found on the south side of Tutnmangao. A short distance from where the find was made may be seen the old camping ground, or pa. No doubt the. natives who camped there carefully guarded tha last resting place of their departed! warriors whose remains they sought to con* ceah :