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New Zealand Graphic, Volume XXVIII, Issue XXI, 24 May 1902, Page 1033

A number of ancient Maori carvings and curios was found in a cave near Hokianga f week or two ago. The eave had been used as a burial place, and it therefore contained many articles which the Maoris were accustomed to place beside the bodies of their dead. The coffins are made of totara, carved in the style which lias not been used for at least a century. The Maoris now in the district have no claim to the discovered articles, as they are not the descendants of the tribe by whom the cave was used, that hapu having been swept away. Mr. Menzies, of the Lands Department, has charge of the find. Mr. Cheeseman, curator of the Auckland Museum, w-ired to the Act-ing-Premier asking that the antiquities be handed over to the Auckland Museum, and Mr. Geo. Fowlds, M.H.R., wired to similar effect to Sir J. G. Ward and to the Hon. Mr. Carroll. The Acting-Premier replied that he recognised the superior claims of Auckland, and had directed that the articles be handed over to the curator of the Museum.