Artefacts returned to Otago
Mary Gray has finally seen the mysterious Polynesian items found by her grandfather in Central Otago 124 years ago. Robert Arthur Mathewson found a kete, three maro (waistcloths), cordage, and some bark cloth in a rock shelter near Hyde in July 1894. ‘‘It is fascinating story because they have been out of sight for a very long time,’’ Gray, who started a determined campaign for the items to be returned to Otago Museum, said. The items, which had been transferred between Auckland and Wellington museums over the years, were returned by Te Papa earlier this year. Gray, of Wanaka, said she felt ‘‘very emotional’’ when she saw the items for the first time. ‘‘Somehow I’ve honoured my grandfather’s intention, as he made clear in this letter that we found.’’ Her grandfather drowned during a family Christmas holiday to Warrington, north of Dunedin. ‘‘He was never in a position, and his family were young, to follow up on having them returned ... so to have them here, and acknowledged as his find, is really special to me.’’ Gray said it was a mystery how the items, which appeared Polynesian in origin, ended up in the rock shelter. Otago Museum would examine and research the items’ origin, and possibly display them in the future. Two years after the items were discovered, ethnologist Augustus Hamilton speculated they were of Samoan origin, possibly acquired from one of the early whaling ships by someone who, for some unknown reason, had been unable to return to the place where they had been left. ‘‘Wherever they have come from it is a fascinating story, because they have been out of sight for a very long time,’’ Gray said.