STRANGE MAORI TOMB
One of the queerest tombs in Ifew Zealand has been brought into prominence by the recent purchase by:the Crown of land at Poro-o-tafao, a small European and Maori.'settlement in the heart o£ the King i Country) sa^an, exchange. , „' ; The burying $lace stands opposite the ■ (lag station,.>y)ii"li none but mixed trains deign to recognise^ arid it is the last resting-place"' of an old' Maori chicf > who owned much of the land in the vicinity, and was reputed to be,very wealthy. There : is little unusual about the sraull concrete ! building. It is. like, a church in mmia- ' ture,iaiid was erected-by the old man at ■ ii cost of £26O;but to ensure his proteo- : tion after death, :he had it fitted with a : voi-y ellieient strong-room door, specially brought from Dunedin tit a cost of £75. When the tomb was completed tho_ old 3Jaori tried it by sleeping iv it one night. Apparently • itl proved immilnu from evil Kpirits. for when lie (lied shortly afterwards ho was interred in the tomb of Ins own building. That was ten years ago. To-dn,v the cement and brick work is showing signs of depreciation, but the strong-room door, guaranteed by ita English makers to be "fire resisting," and fitted with a "powder-proof solid lock," remains untouched by the ravages of time or weather —an incongruous spectacle.
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Bibliographic details
Evening Post, Volume CIX, Issue 149, 27 June 1930, Page 17
Word Count
222STRANGE MAORI TOMB Evening Post, Volume CIX, Issue 149, 27 June 1930, Page 17
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