ANCIENT OCCUPATION

Northland Age, Volume 25, Issue 30, 13 November 1925, Page 3

ANCIENT OCCUPATION

SIGNS IN FAR NORTH Signs of ancient occupation to be seen everywhere in North Auckland greatly impressed Judge Acheson and Mr. C. P. Newton, of the Native Land Court, who have paid an official visit to the Far North. (Says an Exchange.) Hundreds of old pas were seen, many of them so extensive that they must have been defended by thousands of fighting men. Inumerable shell mounds also betokened a large population in former days. The present-day Maori knows nothing about these pas and shell mounds, and it is difficult to beleive that the decendants of the main Maori migration of 1350 A.D. could possibly have been numerous enough either to construct so many hugefortificationsordefend them when made. Everything seems to point to the existence of a large population in New Zealand long before the migration of 1350 A.D. As they were engaged on investigating the conditions of the Natives of the Far North around Parenga Harbour with a view to starting the dairying industry among them, Judge Acheson and Mr. Newton did not have time to visit North Cape, Tom Bowling Bay, Spirits Bay, Te Reinga, and Cape Maria Van Diemen,’but had a good view of them, and of Three Kings Islands from the high hills on their way round. On the return journey the newly-discovered Wahi Tapu, or burial grou»d was visited in company with the owner of the property, Mr. James B rghin, of Ahipara. The localit> ,s a very interesting one. Judge Acheson entered one of burial cavrs , rid took notes but did not care to disturb the numerous remains.in the oave.