THE LAST MOA

Evening Star, Issue 19052, 22 September 1925, Page 10

THE LAST MOA

THE DATE OF ITS DEATH The discovery of a complete skeleton ol a large species of moa near Waikaromoana is interesting, writes Mr P. (L Morgan, Director ol Geological Survey, in the Wellington ‘ Post.’ it. should be remembered that there were many species of moa, varying greatly in size, etc., and that these did not all become extinct at the onetime. When, principally through Sir Richard Owen’s remarkable descriptions of tiie moa bones sent to him from Now Zealand, the scientific world became aware of the former existence of gigantic flightless birds in this country, there were those that thought the moa had died out long before the Maori or any preceding race, of men readied New Zealand. 'There is, however, now no doubt but that several of the species of moa coexisted with man in New Zealand, and wore killed, cooked, and eaten by him. Sir James Hector says that the moas, though belonging probably to a race that was expiring from natural causes, were finally exterminated through human agency. To anyone who will carefully and judiciously read the numeroUU papers and discussions relating to the moa that appear in the ‘ Transactions of the Now Zealand Institute,’ tbis view must command itself as entirely reasonable. Sir James Hector, and many others whose opinions are entitled to consideration. believed I hat the moas were exterminated by the ancestors of IMe present-day Maoris—that is, at. Mm

period since, say, 1200 or l.dnu \.n. The view Dial tlie moa disappeared in the time of a race anterior to the Maori proper, perhaps the Maruiv.i of Klsdon Best, is also strongly held, and the article in the ' livening Post ’ makes it appear that this is (he only tenable view.

J write mainly to point out (bat I much remains to be done before a positive statement like this can be reasonably made. Considered ns a whole, the i localities where moa bones and re- j mains of human culture occur in asso- j datum have been most imperfectly in- , vestigatod. One cannot doubt that detailed scientific research will yield important results, and enable the date of the extinction of the moa to be approximately ascertained. Let me state some of the reasons supporting the view that the last of (be moas died less than 500 years ago. 1. Although the Rev. W. f'olcnso by diligent inquiry obtained very little information about the moa from the Maoris with whom ho came into contact, others have been more fortunate. Authentic particulars about the appearance of the moa, the mode of limiting it, etc., do seem to have been preserved in Maori tradition. 2. Moa bones, and even complete skeletons, have been found scattered on the surface of the ground in many parts of New Zealand. is it likely that any great number of these bones would survive wind and weather for more than 500 years.V J. imiumorablo fragments of moa eggshells in a good state of preservation (as well as several whole shells) have been found in exposed situations in various localities. That even the thick shell of the larger species of moa would remain almost undecayed for half a millennium in the New Zealand climate (or climates) is most unlikely. 4. In caves in Central Otago nieces of moa skin, and dried-up muscle attached to bones, have been found. The preservation of such materials for 500 years or more is possible, but not likely. I hold no decided opinion as to when the last moa died, but I desire to point out clearly that we do not .'mow exactly wdien that unfortunate event happened. I may add that the “ best authority ” (unnamed in your article) is not taking up a scientific attitude if lie scouts the idea that the Maoris actually saw the moa alive. He may be correct, but for a sound conclusion much more evidence is required, and that evidence is obtainable from other sources than Maori tradition, which, I by the, way, is not so lacking in definite references to tbe moa as might bo supposed by readers of the article.