SKELETON AT BROMLEY

Press, Volume CI, Issue 29844, 9 June 1962, Page 14

SKELETON AT BROMLEY

Estimated Age At Least 110 Years

The skeleton uncovered some feet below the ground by a bulldozer working on the Christchurch Drainage Board's oxidation ponds at Bromley on the morning of May 3 was that of a Maori buried not less than 110 years ago, according to a report by Dr R. S. Duff, received by the police. Dr. Duff is djrectof of the Canterbury Museum. A party from the museum, led by Mr A. "omison, assistant ethnologist, visited the site on May 5, Dr. Duff said. The remains of a skeleton from which the skull and other bones had been removed and sent to Dr. C. T. B. Pearson, a pathologist, were examined. The bones were those of an immature Maori, said Dr. Duff. The skeleton was lying in the crouched position typical of post-fleet Maori burials. “We consider that the burial could not have taken place less than 110 years ago when Maori occupation of the Estuary area was terminated by .the founding of Christchurch.” said Dr Duff. “In all probability the tribe con. cerned is the Ngai Tahu, who occupied the area from about 1700 A.D.”

Dr. Duff suggested that the remains be sent to the museum so that the skeleton could be held intact pending any decision by the Christchurch Maori Tribal Committee. as the Maori people might wish to rebury it. Although the museum did not wish to search for Maori burials it was always prepared to remove remains found by accident and to confirm whether the burial was of Maori origin, Dr. Duff concluded.