SKELETONS AT THE SPIT

Evening Star, Issue 20150, 15 April 1929, Page 13

SKELETONS AT THE SPIT

paJMBLE EXCLAMATION in connection with the reccmt finding of human skulls where tho Harbour Board is opening the new quarry at the Spit, it appears that the remains may be those of some of the Native victims of the terrible scourge of measles in the very early days. A gentleman who has collected a considerable amount of first-hand information about Maori customs and such matters, states that ■ tbe Maoris at Otakou and on the other side of the harbour suffered very severely, from tbo great outbreak of measles, with which they were infected from old blankets obtained from the very early whalers. There were two epidemics of measles and one of smallpox. The Natives in the vicinity of Taiaroa Heads were but slightly affected by the smallpox, which was' more severe farther north. The second epidemic of measles was mild compared to the, first, which caused a heavy mortality. At that time a Native village extended from the Heads almost to the present site of Portobcllo, and that community was practically wiped out by the lirst visitaion of measles. At first the dead bodies were taken out of the wliarcs and buried, but later whole families died, and the number of people left were so reduced that burial bad to be abandoned. Cremation was resorted to by means of setting fire to tbo wliarcs. When the temperature which accompanies measles developed flic infected Natives bathed freely in the harbour to cool themselves. The result was speedily fatal. Numbers died before they got back to their wliarcs. The people became afraid of this silent, relentless foe, and fear contributed to tbe ravages of the .malady. The Natives bad evidently been a healthy race, and usually lived to old age, unless killed in inter-tribal warfare. Fearlessly, the Maori faced death in warfare, where be could stand up to the odds of life or death; but the measles was an invisible foe, which killed a man and Ids wife and children from ambush. Consequently a fear of tbe unknown gripped bis imagination, paralysed bis power of resistance, and left him as easy victim. Some, died on the foreshore as they left tbo water, which, instead of eliminating the feverish temperature, imparted a shock that quickly proved fatal. Others whose homes were a distance from tile harboursido crawled into caves or other out-ol’-t bo-way places, and expired. That probably accounts for tbe skeletons found in the small cave where the Harbour Board's quarry is being opened up. About half a mile or so away from tbo quarry site, a large cave, with the entrance almost blocked by debris from the cliff above, was discovered a few years ago. The top of the cave was blackened by smoke, and the rock' floor was worn smooth. Several skeletons lay around, each merely consisting of a skull and some much decayed hones. At one side of the cave, however, a complete skeleton lay on the bed of rushes, as though it had not been touched or disturbed since death took place. The teeth gleamed white in the candle light. Tlic investigator inadvertently tom-bed flic rushes, and the primitive lied .structure crumbled. The lower jaw dropped from the skull, which rolled in amongst the other bones as the bed collapsed. The sound and movement were comparatively slight, but accentuated the eerie gloom of tho silent cave. When the place was again visited some months afterwards the mouth of tbe cave was blocked. A large quantify of stones and clay bad slipped from the cliff above, completely covering the entrance to the cave.