THE LAST MOA.

Auckland Star, Volume LVI, Issue 215, 11 September 1925, Page 9

THE LAST MOA.

THE DATE OF ITS DEATH. PROBABLY LESS THAN 500 TEARS AGO. MR. P. G. MORGAN'S VIEW. . The discovery of a complete skeleton of a large species of moa near Waikareluoana is interesting, writes Mr. P. G. Morgan, Director of Geological Survey, in the "Wellington Post." It should be remembered that there were many species of moa, varying greatly in size. etc.. aud that these* did not all become extinct at tbe one time. When, principally through Sir Richard Owen's remarkable descriptions of the moa bones sent to him from New Zealand, the scientific world became aware of the former existence of gigantic flightless birds in this country, there were those that thought the moas had died out long before the Maori or any preceding race of men reached New Zealand. There is, however, now no doubt but that several of the species of moa coexisted with man in New Zealand, and were Killed, cooked, and eaten by him. Sir James Hector says that the* moas. though belonging probably to a race that was expiring from natural causes, were finally exterminated through human agency. To anyone who will carefully and judiciously read the numerous papers and discussions relating to the moa that appear in the Transactions of .the New Zealand Institute, this view must commend itself as entirely reasonable. Sir James Hector and many others whose opinions are entitled to consideration, believed that the moas were exterminated by the ancestors of the presentday Maoris, that is. at some period since, say, 1200 or 1300 A.D. The view that the moa disappeared in the time of a race anterior to the Maori proper, perhaps the Maruiwi of Elsdon Best, is also strongly held, and the article in the "Evening Post" makes it appear that this is the only tenable view. I write mainly to point out that much remains to be done before a positive statement like this* can be reasonably made. Considered as a whole, the localities where moa bones and remains of human culture occur in association have been most imperfectly investigated. One cannot doubt that detailed scientific researchs will yield important results, and enable the date of the extinction of the moa to Be approximately ascertained. Let mc state some of the reasons supporting the view that the last of the moas died less than 500 years ago. (1) Although the Eev. W. Colenso by diligent inquiry obtained very little information about the moa from the Maoris with whom he came into contact, others have been more fortunate. Authenticparticulars about the appearance of the moa, the mode of hunting it, etc., do seem to have been preserved in Maori tradition. (2) Moa bones, and even complete skeletons have been found scattered on the surface of the ground in many parts of New Zealand. Is it likely that any great number of these bones would survive wind and weather for more than 500 years. (3) Innumerable fragments of moa eggshells iv a good state of preservation (as well as several whole shells) have been found in exposed situations in various localities. That even the thick shell of the ,larger species of moa would remain almost undecayed for half a niilInenium in the New Zealand climate (or climates) is most unlikely, (4) In caves in Central Otago pieces of moa skin, and dried-up muscle attached to bones, have been found. The preservation of such materials for 500 years or more is possible, but not likely. I hold no decided opinion as to when the last moa died, but I desire to point out clearly that we do not know exactly when that unfortunate event happened. I may add that the "best authority" (unnamed in your article) is not takfng up a scientific attitude if he scouts the idea that the Maoris actually saw tbe moa alive. He may be correct, but for a sound conclusion much more evidence is required, and that evidence is obtainable from other sources than Maori tradition, which, by the way, is not so lacking in definite references to the moa as might be supposed by readers of the article in the '•Post."