EASTER ISLAND WRITINGS

Press, Volume LXXIV, Issue 22375, 12 April 1938, Page 12

EASTER ISLAND WRITINGS

ANTHROPOLOGIST'S CLAIM (rXKSS ASSOCIATION TBLKORAM.) AUCKLAND, April 11. The claim that he has solved the riddle of Easter Island, and can read (he script on Wooden tablets found there, was made by Dr. Carl Tauber, retired professor of anthropology at the University of Zurich, SWitzerlaho, a passenger on the Reliance. , These tablets are stated by the encyclopaedia to be unique in Polynesia. They were first noted in 1864, and are now scattered in museums throughout the world.

Dr. Tauber says that he made the discovery while pursuing anthropological research among the Chippewa Indians of North America. He found the clue to the interpretation of one of the tablets, and from that stage went ahead with research, the result of which will be released in a paper to be read before the Societe de Oceanlste in Paris a few months hence. His discovery is only six months old. He claims that the back of .the Polynesian tablets tells the legendary history of the greatest seafarers of the Melanesian race. . . In his opinion the Melanesiana had cdme froih .Melanesia to New Zealand, trtd had gone from there to Tahiti, and possibly to the Marquesas. Only the keenest seafarers had got as far as Easter Island, and the tablets told of their rOVhigs.

egress to the sea by a ferro-cpncrete bridge, and the line will then be carried on .an overbridge over the high* There will not be one level crossing bhthe whole of the 76 miles between Parnassus and WharanUi, mm*, J™ steepest grade oyer which the railway Will tun vill Tie of, l in 70 to the Hawkswood cutting and to and from the Amuri BlUff tunnel. ACCess.to the Amuri Bluff, an isolated snot on the coast, has been given by the building of a road round the limestone cliff face from Oaro, and to the other side by a road three and three-duarter miles long from the highway to Okarahia stream. Both roads aio for departmental use only, being Used for the transportation of material for the tunnel. Fourteen Camps

All work on the southern section is directed from the main camp at Oaro, where Mr W. F. Young,, engineer in charge, has an administrative staff or 31 men. Other camera are at Parhassus, Ferhiehurst, the Conway, Hundalee. Lower Conway (where single men only ar* emntoyed). Clftverley, Taratuhl (on the Okarahia), Mikonm (Where the Amuri tunnel gangs are quartered), Omihi, Kie Kie, Rosy Morn, Puketa, and Kahautara , The future of the camps will depend on the Government in charge when the constructional work /is completed. The present intentipttv of-the .Hon. K. Sample is that the huts should be left on the coast atitt most beautiful spots for renting by tourists and.camping parties. If bis idea is carried Into effect, the route will become one of increased interest.to the motoring public and hoUdaymakers who, apparently, hive little deaire to face tiw present diffldUlties of/ There are place* on the roadway and the rill rdUte which are certain .to become favourite resorts in the future.

MODERN METHODS OF CONSTRUCTION

Mr semple's address At . RAKGIOIIA'^;'";" V jwsj"jjgjg tea puM c tfeettai Hill at RaVgiora last eventag-The Mayor (Mr C W. Tyler) was iXSJSSSFSA tti'KSPg tea* arts? sW% ftfuyby the Minister,. . t4 #A -,„■ I in moving ft #«e j* ihtak* td Mt a vote or «ondl«tiee avjie cm&AWent The motion was carried with acflkmatioaw ■' .-- -^.- : ———-——-■-; ■