Important Find at Wairau

Manawatu Times, Volume 63, Issue 123, 27 May 1938, Page 6

Important Find at Wairau

Skeleton Thought to be Remains of Native Princess CENTRAL FIGURE IN MASSACRE Per Press Association. BLENHEIM, Last Night. A discovery which appears to be of historical importance was made near the scene of the Wairau massacre at Tua, Marina yesterday afternoon when Main Highways Board workmen engaged in widening the corner below Massacre Hill unearthed tho skeleton 6f a Maori woman believed to be that of the native Princess Te Ronga, whose death precipitated the massacre. It is considered that the skeleton is between 90 and 100 years old, and the skull bears a bullet bole which gives the theory that the rcirairis are those of To Rohga, a daughter of Te Raupa. raha, and wife of Te Rangihaetea, Te Rauparaha’s lieutenant. According to the history of the masacre Te Ronga was killed by a chance bullet fired by one of the whi*e parly, and in the ensuing fight and massacre 22 Europeans lost their lives. This morning the remains were examined by Dr. W. E. Redman and Mr. W. J. Elvy, both students of Maori history. Dr. Redman positively identified the skeleton as that of a female between 25 and 30 years of age. Around the neck was a greenstone tiki pendant of unusual design comprising a crude representation of a head only. Significantly' enough an ancient bullet found at. Tua Marina some years ago, which was produced this morning, fitted the bullet hole in the skull. Appearances indicate that, the burial was carried out hurriedly. The skeleton was found about two feet below the surface lying on its left side facing east. It was trussed in the usual way with the knees and hands drawn up towards the chin.