A MYSTERY UNEARTHED.

New Zealand Times, Volume XLIII, Issue 7222, 18 July 1884, Page 8

A MYSTERY UNEARTHED.

Auckland, June 24. Tho following are further particulars re the skeleton found at Three Kings When first discovered the position of tho skeleton was very peculiar, as the body seemed to have been completely doubled up, so as to cause the feet to meet each other at the back of neck. After the discovery some little sensation was caused, owing to the impression that it was a sequel to the mysterious disappearance of a half-caste known as “Jemmy,” who once gave evidence against Winiata for stealing a saddle, which evidence caused a conviction. “ Jemmy ” disappeared soon after Winiata’s release from prison, aud, so far as is known, has never been seen or heard of since. A careful examination of the remains, however, showed that they must have been su the ground many years —iu all probability a quarter of a century. Moreover, tho teeth indicated a greater age than the unfortunate halfcaste was, whilst tho shank and hip bones were there of a much taller man. Of course it U a common occurrence to find remains of Maoris in volcanic caves around and in the vicinity of the Three Kings, bet Mr Bishop says that Maoris never interred their dead in the manner " this body was buried, aud he does not think even though the remains are those of a Maori that they were buried there by a Maori, There is one remarkable thing in connection with this discovery, namely, that the large bone of one of the fore-arms appears to have at one time been fractured, but tho setting of the fracture appears, by its neatness, to have been the result of considerable surgical skill.