MAORI CANNIBALS

Gisborne Times, Volume LXXIII, Issue 11830, 11 January 1933, Page 5

MAORI CANNIBALS

FIND NEAR AW A KINO. EVIDENCE OF A FEAST. STRATFORD. January 7. Conclusive evidence of the bolding of a Alaori cannibal feast at a spot 22 .miles north of Awakino was discovered by a party consisting of Messrs. A. W. Burrell. L. Davis and 0. Hunter, of Stratford, and F. Oawith. F.R.S.. of EiUiam, who returned yesterday from an expedition to tho locality. The evidence included skulls of tho victims °t the feast, among which was that of a child. Also, 24 fireplaces and numerous human burns in various states of preservation. A feature of the skulls, except that of the child, ens 'their remarkable thiek-ne-s. A member of the pai'iy told n '•'Dominion” representative that they had conversed with a descendant of the great chief, Te Rnupapo, now. living in the vicinity, who, though ho had little to say regarding the evidence of the feast, told an interesting story of how To Raupupa hacl hidden in a nearby cave from his enemies for about eight months. This cave is at the foot of a very high cliff and can only be reached at certain =ensons when the tides are suitable. As far as is known, very few while people have visited the cave. During Ids sojourn there il is surmised that the food for the fugitive was lei down over tbe clitT by rope=. Although little could be got from the Maori regarding the actual feast, residents of rhe district stated that on several occasions skulls had been found bearing axe mark 5 .