MR M'NAB'S DISCOVERIES.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 14898, 29 July 1910, Page 5

MR M'NAB'S DISCOVERIES.

AN EXPLANATION.

(Vie United Press Association.)

WELLINGTON, July 28. Mr Robert M'Nab writes 'to the NewZealand Times 1 as follows -.—"'Sir, —Under the heading ' A Little Late,' you publish this morning a Napier telegram' as follows : 'Mr M'Nab's claim to have identified the spot in 1 Grass Cove, Quieir. Charlotte Sound, where one of Captain Cook's boats crew was massacred is a little late in the ,diiy/(says a Press Association message from! Napier),' and then it goes on to tell that Mr Russell Duncan photographed the spot some veaTs' ago, etc. If you look back to vour issue of yesterday you will sea the 'identiflca-' tion relates to an instrument found vat the place, anp not to- the place itself. It reads : 'Mr M'Nab ! identified the lattor from accounts as a hanger (sword) used by Midshipman Bowe, who wa6 in charge of the boat. The identification clews up. the controversy, regarding the spot of the massacre.' A hurried . readme: of the telegram has credited in. the mind of someone at- Napier an erroneous impression of its meaning, and the 'little, 'at*' telegram .to you . was the. result. Before going over _ to Qu-ien Charlotte Sound I had full information regardine the claims of Grass Cove suoolied by an earlier investieator, than Mr Rws«ll. rilb sniiie gentleman also expressed the hope that I would be ablo to settle the controversy regarding-the • site. With the help of Dr Redman, the Rev. -'Mr Smith, and Mr B. C'romDton Smith, 1 of Picton. and throngli the identification, of the relics, my friend's wish has been gratified." ■