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The Material Culture of the Cook Islands (Aitutaki)
D.—Mangaian Quadrangular Adze
D.—Mangaian Quadrangular Adze.
The specimen figured in Fig. 209 is in the Auckland Museum. It is hafted in a ceremonial peace-adze handle, and looks suspiciously like a Maori adze. It is made of a very black stone. It is well polished and has a fine cutting edge. The longitudinal edges are clean cut, and there is not the transverse convexity of the surfaces seen in Type 3, Fig. 205.
The peace-adze handles, being peculiar to Mangaia, are made up to the present time for trade purposes. As adzes became scarce, they were sought for from other parts. The stone part did not matter, it was the handle that counted. I know of adzes being sent over to Mangaia from Rarotonga to be fitted to handles. Such adzes also formed suitable presents to visitors, and there are a large number of modern made articles in circulation. Because the handle came from Mangaia, it does not follow that the adze associated with it belongs to the artifacts of that Island. The adze belonged to the late Lieut.-Colonel Gudgeon, of New Zealand and it is possible that he supplied the adze himself to be mounted. The matter is mentioned to show the dangers
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that exist. Lacking the pronouncement of a geologist, the adze remains queried.
Figure 210.
Aitutaki Small Implements (Auckland Museum). A—Small Adze. B—Chisel.