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Otago Witness, Issue 3888, 18 September 1928, Page 76

A well-preserved and keen-edged Maori axe was discovered in Egmont street, New Plymouth, the other day by Mr F. E. Cooper, when excavating for the foundations for a garage (reports an exchange)'. The adze was found at a depth of 18, feet below the present surface of the* street in the old bed of the Mangotuku Stream, which had been covered by debris from the levelling of Mount Eliot. The implement had evidently been used by the old inhabitants of Puke-Ariki, who had existed possibly some centuries before the - hill was demolished by the Harbour Board some years ago. The stone from which the adze is made is of South Island origin, and was evidently brought here in trade. The adze has been presented to the museum. The peat fires which raged on the Monavalie and Roto-o-rangi swamps, between Te Awamutu and Cambridge, last autumn, spreading over a considerable area and causing much damage, have, it is interesting to note, not completely died out, and a stiff breeze that prevailed the other week fanned the smouldering fires into activity again (says the Auckland Star). Little harm, however, appears likely at this time of the year. -