MOA HUNTERS’ GRAVES AT WAIRAU

Press, Volume LXXIX, Issue 23940, 6 May 1943, Page 3

MOA HUNTERS’ GRAVES AT WAIRAU

c ADDRESS TO ROYAL SOCIETY An elaboration of a paper on the discovery at Wairau of a burial ground of moa hunters, which he gave to the Canterbury branch of the Royal Society of New Zealand some months ago, was made to the society last evening by Mr R. S. Duff, of the Canterbury Museum. Mr Duff exhibited slides depicting stages in the excavation work and also recording the precise position of the skeletons and accessories when found.

Mr Duff said that an offering of moa bones was found at the feet of each skeleton, while blown moa eggs were found beside them. Some of the skeletons had necklets fashioned from moa bones in either cotton-reel or toothshaped units. Adzes of particular style were also found in the graves. The absence of the skull from some of the skeletons supported the belief that they were recovered after burial and used as fertility charms, he said. Mineral Fluorescence Mineral fluorescence under ultraviolet ray was demonstrated by Dr. R. S. Allen. Most of his specimens were from the Sir Joseph Kinsey collection and showed fluorescence in shades varying from bronze to pale green and amethyst. Dr. Allen said that modern uses of fluorescence were in the distinction of particular strains of seeds, classification of drugs and food products, and in the detection of markings in records, criminology, and philately. Dr. D. B. Macleod gave a detailed explanation of the phenomenon. Dr. I. L. G. Sutherland presided.

Damage to Dredge.—Damage done to the Lyttelton Harbour Board's suction dredge by rubbish sucked up during dredging was discussed by the board yesterday, when the engineer (Mr Percy W. Fryer) reported that the dredge had picked up an iron casting, which had lodged in the ball joint of the suction pipe, and that on another occasion three pieces of hardwood were removed from a pipe in the engine-room. Mr Fryer said the rubbish was dumped overboard from ships leaving the port. It was decided to write to shipping agents, asking them to bring the question before masters, with the suggestion that the rubbish should be dumped at sea, to avoid damage to the dredge. Release Of Gandhi Opposed.—The All India Trades Union Conference rejected resolutions urging the unconditional release of Mr Gandhi and other leaders and the immediate establishment of a National Government for the defence of India against invasion.— London, May 4.