MAORI CANNIBALISM.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 19531, 14 July 1925, Page 11

MAORI CANNIBALISM.

GRUESOME DOINGS IN THE EARLY DAYS. (From Our Own Correspondent.) WANGANUI, July 13 According to Mr R. G. Firth, curator of Wanganui Museum, who has been delving into ancient Maori history, cannibalism was rampant along this coast in the early days. Not only were some of the pioneers to this district cookod and eaten, but their hoards were dried and preserved as moko mokaia. He stated that the records wont to prove that a party of the Ngatu Ranul were killed and oaten at Te Ahituatine, near Carlton avenue. They had come to proclaim ■ the Gospel. This cannibal feast was nearly the last which disgraced our river. One more took place a few years later at Te Karanui, or, as it is now called, Ghurton’s Creek. A party 'of Natives from the north arrived there to proclaim the Gospel to the Maoris of this place. The object for which they came was not understood. The Natives here fancied these strangers had come to “makutu” to bewitch them—and acting upon this impression, they fell upon them, and killed and cookod the entire party. Another party from Taupo arrived with a chief named Wiremu Tauri at their head. He also had embraced the Christian, faith and proclaimed it. Here it was listened to with groat attention. He took up his abode at Putiki, and for many years lived there and had the honour of being the first preacher who made converts in the Wanganui district.