"MALOLO."

Auckland Star, Volume LXII, Issue 285, 2 December 1931, Page 6

"MALOLO."

THE MAORI PARALLEL.

(By E. NEPIA.)

The visit of the liner Malolo recalls to the mind of the Maori historian many episodes connected with the name. It is Hawaiian in origin, the Maori form of the same word being "maroro." Both mean "flying fish." This fish, so well known to seafarers, has the peculiar habit of rising above the water, bird-like, apparently to escape an enemy or to pursue a fleeing victim. Often it has been known to leap into a vessel or to become enmeshed in the rigging of a ship in the course of its flight, thereby bringing destruction upon itself. This fact has given rise to a well-known Maori proverb, "He maroro kokoti ihu waka" ("A flying fish caught in the bows of the canoe"). This saying refers to a person, who, as the result of his acts, and of his own rash judgment, has caused his own death. For such no utu (revenge) was sought, as it did not involve tribal interests, but purely a matter between the individual concerned and those responsible for his death. His end, it was considered, was due to "pokanoa," or an unwarranted indiscretion, devoid, of all justification in Maori custom and usage. The unfortunate man, through his own miscalculations, had alienated the tribe, which refused to aid him in an act they considered unjustifiable. Many examples of "pokanoa" are to be found in Maori history. To take Auckland first, Taraparoa lived on. the headland pa dit Oka (Shelly Beach Point). He had previously visited-the people of Onetaunga (Kauri Point), noting with much envy the well-stocked store pits and the obvious results of a successful fishing season. One night he sent several of his slaves to procure some of these, if possible, by covert means. They found the inhabitants absent, except some old men and women. They plundered the pa, but while returning from this expedition they were, overtaken in their canoes *and the loot recovered. The thieving slaves of Taraparoa fell victims for their misdeeds, and their heads graced the pallisading posts of Onetaunga. When Taraparoa heard of this calamity ho decided to obtain "utu" (revenge). This expedition, however, ended in disaster, and Taraparoa was captured. More heads were added to the .number already on the posts. Taraparoa's brothers organised a "taua" to liberate him, and approached their relatives to aid them. They, however, declined to participate in an act Avhich they considered unjustifiable, as Taraparoa had brought this misfortune upon hiiiself. It was an act of "pokanoa," indeed a case of "maroro-kokoti ihu waka."

Another incident involving the same expression occurred during To Eauparaha's migration from Kawhia to Kapiti. He realised that his own tribe could not face the odds which confronted him on his journey. He therefore asked the Ngati-Baukawa, his mother's people, to ally themselves with him. They refused the request as emanating from a man of inferior rank. Later tho turbulent Waikatos pressed rather heavily on the Ngati-Baukawa borders, and unless external aid was secured the tribe was doomed to extinction. In their heart of hearts they realised that the only course lay in complying with Te Eauparaha's request, but pride forbade such a decision. To save the people from destruction, they migrated south. At Mohaka, In Hawke's Bay, they won a victory, but in a subsequent engagement they were routed, and few were left to bear the grim news to Maungatautari, near the present site of .Cambridge. Messengers were quickly dispatched to Te Eauparaha, to avenge this defeat. His reply, however, referred to the act as a "maroro kokoti ihu waka," and declined to acquiesce to their demands. Soon afterwards the tribe migrated south as far as Levin, where Te Eauparaha offered them some territory on which to settle.

Again, at a much later period, Tupehi Kupe, a man of rank, and a close ally of Te Eauparaha, visited lyaiapohia with a friendly following. There tliey were presented with certain*valuable heirlooms. Tupehi's covetous eyes, however, had observed earlier an enormous block of greenstone. He thereupon decided to remove this forcibly under cover of • night. His attempt was eventually foiled, and in the struggle which ensued he \va3 killed. Te Eauparaha did not wish to implicate himself in this act of "pokanoa," adding that Tupehi - was a "maroro kokoti ihu waka." As if irt answer, Tamaiharamif boasted, "Ahaha! Let Te Eauparaha come here, and I shall disembowel him with my" weapon." Boiling with rage, Te Eauparaha swooped down upon Kaiapoliia and secured full utu for this kanga (curse).