A STRANGE CREATURE.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXV, Issue 9151, 5 September 1888, Page 5

A STRANGE CREATURE.

SOMETHING BETWEEN A MUMMY AND SKELETON OVER 1000 YEARS OLD. We have to go from home to hear about the wonders of New Zealand. The Macleod Gazette, a newspaper published in Canada, gives under the above heading the following extraordinary story :—Mr. F. Champness, Collector of Customs at Lethbridge, has in his possession a most interesting relic of bygone days, in the shape of a mummy or skeleton. He has this strange object enclosed in a glass case, in the exact position in which it was found. The mummy was discovered by Mr. Champness himself, in 1864, at Hindon, on the West Taieri River, near Dunedin, Otago, New Zealand, while prospecting for gold in the mountains. It was found in a cave, 80 feet from the surface, surrounded by poisonous wood, and the leg-bone of the extinct Moa bird, which stood 30 feet high, lying across the head. Around the neck is some plaited human hair, and between the knees the skeleton of a tois bird, a bird which is held in great veneration by the present Maoris. Mr. Champness took this specimen to England, and for some time it was on exhibition in the British Museum. Dr. Owen pronounced it to be the remains of an adult woman, whose height when living was not more than three feet. It has been pronounced by several other well-known men to be a valuable specimen, owing to its rarity. Several specimens of this race have been found, but none of them, except this one, is perfect. The present race of Maoris, who took possession of New Zealand 800 or 900 years ago, know nothing of the existence of this race which inhabited the island before them. Dr. Hector, the Government Geologist of New Zealand, said there was no doubt the specimen was over 1000 years old. The Maoris bury their dead in trees, while this and other specimens were found in caves, showing the existence of the latter before the former came on the scene. After Mr. Champness discovered the mummy, he was chased by the police for two days. They thought • a murder had been committed, and wanted to hold an inquest.