HISTORIC FIND

Poverty Bay Herald, Volume LXV, Issue 19641, 27 May 1938, Page 14

HISTORIC FIND

MAORI WOMAN’S SKELETON WAIRAU MASSACRE SITE PRINCESS TE ROXGA ? PUPPET HOLE IN SKULL (Per Press Association.) BLENHEIM, this day. A discovery, which appears to be of historical importance, was made near the scene of the Wairau massacre at Tuamarino on Wednesday afternoon, when Main Highways Board workmen engaged in widening a corner below Massacre Hill unearthed a skeleton of a Maori woman which is believed to be that of the native Princess Te Ronga, whose death precipitated the massacre. It is considered that the skeleton is between 90 and 100 years old, and the skull bears a bullet hole which gives the theory that the remains are those of Princess Te Ronga, daughter of Te Rauparaha and the wife of Te Rangihaetea, Te Rauparaha’s lieutenant. According to the history of the massacre,. Princess Te Ronga was killed by a chance bullet fired by one of a white party, and in the ensuing fight and massacre 22 Europeans lost their lives. The remains were examined by Dr. W. E Redman and Mr. W. J. Elvy, both students of Maori history. Dr. Redman positively identified the skeleton as that of a female between 25 ar.d 30 years of age. Around the neck was a greenstone tiki pendant of unusual design, comprising a crude representation of the head only. Significantly enough, an ancient bullet found at Tuamarino some years ago, which was produced yesterday, fitted the bullet hole in the skull. The appearances indicate that the burial was carried out' hurriedly. The skeleton was found about 2ft. below the. surface, lying on its left side and facing the east. It was trussed in the usual way, with the knees and hands drawn up towards the chin.