Newspaper Article 1936

SKELETON OF A MOA

DISCOVERY ON COAST

OTHER FINDS EXPECTED

[BY TELEGRAPH – OWN CORRESPONDENT]

NAPIER, Monday

An almost complete skeleton of a moa has been unearthed on the coast about 100 miles from Napier by Dr. K. E. Crompton, of Havelock North. Dr. Crompton does not wish to disclose the position at which the bones were found as he is of the opinion that a number of other interesting discoveries may yet be made and he does not wish the locality to be disturbed.

Dr. Crompton stated that he believed the bones he had found would form an almost complete skeleton but it was hard to say yet as the remains were still being sorted out. Simultaneously with the discovery of the moa bones Dr. Crompton found a large piece of fossilised moa’s leg which had now become a solid piece of rock. He regards the find as an extremely rare one.

Several years ago Mrs. J. P. Turnbull, of Kaiwaka, camo across the complete skeleton of a moa, which she kept. Mrs. Turnbull has now donated the skeleton to the Hawke’s Bay art gallery and museum society and Dr. Crompton is engaged in the task of assembling the portions. Mrs. Turnbull made the discovery when playing with some children and from the appearance of the bones it appeared as though the moa had been wedged between two rocks and had been unable to extricate itself, with the result that it had died in that position.