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Press, Volume LV, Issue 10148, 22 September 1898, Page 5

THE KUML Considerable interest is maintained in scientific circles by the reports, persistently repeated, with reference to the presence of a large reptile on Mount Arawhana, Bay of Plenty. Authorities, however, have expressed sceptical views on being asked whether they consider the mysterious animal may be a kumi. Sir James Hector, when seen at the Colonial Museum a day or two ago (reports the Wellington **Times"), pointed out that the word *%umi" appeared in all dictionaries of the >laori language, and that one meaning given to it was that it was the name of a "large fabulous rep-

tile." The existence of the kumi is a tradition with the natives. Sir James also said it was interesting to note that Yon Hochstetter, in his work on "New Zealand," gives a woodcut of a Maori carving, at Ohinemutu, of a large lizard. In tho letterpress of the English translation the carving is described as that of a lizard with two heads and six legs. But the woodcut* does not justify this description, for it depicts a reptile with a single head. And what are taken to be a third pair of legs may merely be the exaggerated representation of external gills. Stall the carving suggests that the carver had seen the lizard of which he made a representation. Yon Hochstetter speaks of the carving as remarkable, in that he did not see another like it during his travels in this country. AFTER MANY YEARS. Samples of the biscuits and other provisions stored on the Auckland and Gampbell Islands by the Marine Department for the benefit of shipwrecked people have been brought to Wellington {says the "Post"), and although they have been on the islands for some years they are as good now as when they were Isnded"there. The was matches in the various depots were also found to be in excellent condition.