WAITARA SWAMP RESEARCH

Press, Volume XCIX, Issue 29220, 2 June 1960, Page 22

WAITARA SWAMP RESEARCH

Museum Director’s Address

The progress of a five weeks’ search for buried Miaori carvings and artifacts in a swamp near the Taranaki township of Waitara was described by the director of the Canterbury Museum (Dr. Roger S. Duff) in an illustrated address to the Association of Friends of the Canterbury Museum.

“Archaeology in New Zealand, is something more important than we realise,” said Dr. Duff. “It is not purely indulgence in a pleasant hobby. By trying to trace the origins of the Maori people it can be a means of expressing our interest and respect for them and of moving towards S national goal—an age in which eha and Maori feel themselves and are truly one people—New Zealanders.” Paying tribute to the fine cooperation of the Maori peofrfe in archaeological research in. New Zealand, Dr. Duff emphasised the importance of their understanding and goodwill towards the various projects. “We are now on the threshold of a new era in which the Maori people are losing their natural suspicions about the purposes of oijr work. They are beginning to realise what archaelogy is trying to do.” With the aid of coloured slides and a short coloured film. Dr. Duff demonstrated the importance of swamps as archaeological sites and showed their intensive use by the Maori for preserving wooden carvings and Implements. Although no carvings were found on this expedition, numerous digging sticks and foot rests were recovered.

The search, organised by Dr. Duff last summer on behalf of the Taranaki Museum, was aided by 12 members of the Canterbury Museum’s Archaeological Club and a large team of local volunteers.

Mr Bunt is an auditor for the Pittsburgh baseball club.