DAYS OF THE MOA

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXIV, Issue 22620, 7 January 1937, Page 8

DAYS OF THE MOA

FOSSILISED REMAINS INVESTIGATOR'S WORK IMPORTANT DISCOVERIES [BY TELEGRAPH —OWN CORRESPONDED] HASTINGS, Wednesday An inspection of the locality of the recent discovery of fossilised moa -egg shells and bones in the Dannevirke district has been completed by Dr. K. E. Croinpton. of Havelock North. With the information gathered from this visit and other investigations. Dr. Croinpton proposes to place before the Science Congress at Auckland next week an interesting exhibit or two in the way of moa bones and fossils. Dr. Croinpton went to a spot 35 miles from the coast and I]ooft. above sea level and here he was shown a bed of sea shells eight feet deep that had been deposited upon papa rock. It was the only bed in the district and obviously of great age. The small deposit was just turning to rock. At the foot of the deposit the shell had become so consolidated that it was necessary to use a pick to break it up. The moa fossils that interested Dr. Croinpton particularly were found at the bottom of this small bed of shell. Enough fragments were found to warrant the investigator hoping that experts will be enabled to at least put a date to thera and afford some geological information of great value Dr. Crompton is at present conducting a comprehensive investigation into discoveries of moa bonos, shells and fossils in this part of the Dominion, and he is busy assembling skeletons. During the coming week-end he will leave for Auckland to attend the Science Congress.