HISTORIC MAORI AXE

Southland Times, Issue 19771, 20 February 1923, Page 7

HISTORIC MAORI AXE

DISCOVERED AT PUKEARUHE. The unearthing of a Native axe at Pukearuhe last week has aroused a considerable amount of interest among the Ngatiawa tribe of Natives, reports the Taranaki Herald. This important find was made by Mr Vincent Wells when passing up a small bank on his father’s property, from which, apparently, the recent heavy rains had washed away some of the surface soil, leaving exposed a portion of the axe. Mr Wells at once recognised the find as of considerable importance, and he secured the axe and removed it to his home for safe keeping. The find soon became known among members of the tribe, an Mr Kapinga, of Mimi, interviewed Mr Wells on Sunday, and at once identified the weapon as the famous Potamawhiria, which has been lost for centuries, though it was known to have been buried in the Pukearuhe district. It is believed to have originally been brought to New Zealand in the famous war canoe Tokomaru by the Ngatiawa tribe, and its history has been transmitted from one generation to another for hundreds of years. The material of which the axe is made was at once seen not to be native to New Zealand. The weapon is over 15 inches long and about four inches broad, and is in a perfect state of preservation, the edge being particularly keen. A mark of identification was observed on the axe, a flaw at one corner said to have been caused by the cutting of stone along the coast. According to tradition it is also believed the axe was used to cut most of the bush around the site of the original pa named Te Hawera, close to Pukearuhe. The axe is also said to have done great slaughter in tribal battles, and is therefore, of course, tapu. It is not surprising, therefore, that the discovery has aroused considerable interest among the members of the tribe, and particularly as Mr Wells has acted generously in handing over the relic to them, who appreciate his action very sincerely. A tribal gathering is being arranged to take place at Waitara on March 18, at which the history of the axe will be recounted and certain ceremonials observed, and, in all probability, suitable arrangements made for the safe keeping of the axe. It is also stated there is in Parihaka a large flag, which was made in Waitara a few years ago, upon which is emblazoned the Toko-

maru canoe, containing about 40 warriors, and also a representation of the Potamawhiria. One of the last natives who had any intimate knowledge ■of the legend connected with the axe was Te Awaroa, of Mokau, who died at Vrenui about three years ago, and handed the information down to the present members of the tribe. It is interesting to note in this connection that the Tokomaru canoe, in which the axe was brought to New Zealand, was finally beached above the mouth of the Mohakatino river. A sister canoe was beached at Kawhia, while the anchor of the Tainui was deposited at the mouth of the river Mokau, near the pa.