STRANGE DISCOVERY

Northern Advocate, 12 October 1934, Page 7

STRANGE DISCOVERY

UNKNOWN CAVERN ;i WELL PRESERVED SKELETONS. FIND NEAR WHANGAROA.. The interesting discovery of a large and hitherto unknown cavern, obviously used as a human habitation in past ages, has been recently made at Whangaroa, just outside the harbour entrance. The find was made by two Whangaroa residents, Messrs G. Fleming and L, Frear. The discoverers first stumbled upon the entrance, an extremely small crevice in a rock wall, hidden behind a large pohutukawa trunk during their hunt along the coastline after a boating fatality in August, when Mr Frear’s son lost his life. After taking a careful note of their bearings, the searchers decided to return and explore the place thoroughly. They took advantage of the fine weather during the week-end and again visited the locality, having no difficulty in rediscovering the entrance. From there they advanced through a rapidly enlarging passage into the main cavern, which is described by Mr Fleming as being as large, or larger, than the average country dance hall. Here they found the floor covered to some depth with the dust of ages, and protruding in all directions, the gruesome remains of past inhabitants. Mr Fleming states that it is not a regular burial place, although there are numerous skeletons, both male and female. Some of the latter have reddish curly hair, still adhering to the skulls. They are in an excellent state of preservation. Mr Fleming was amazed at the dimensions of one incomplete skeleton, which, he estimates, to be of a giant male some seven feet tall. This skeleton lies on a ledge above the floor of the cavern .

The cooking and sleeping places are fairly intact and everywhere are signs of feasting. There are bones of fish, birds and humans -mingled with what are perhaps moa bones. For some strange reason the inhabitants appear to have been confined to the cavern for some considerable time during their lives. Much unmentionable in support of this supposition were apparent. So far Messrs Fleming and Frear are reticent concerning the discovery of any curios, but they mention at least one find—a number of fish hooks, with shell tipped barbs. These are excellently preserved, Mr Fleming appears to be a little, doubtful as to whether the remains are those of Maoris, on account of the extraordinary colour and texture of the hair found on some of the skulls.