SNAKE HUNT.

Auckland Star, Volume LXIX, Issue 123, 27 May 1938, Page 15

SNAKE HUNT.

A TALE OF AKAROA.

REPTILE ON PENINSULA.

ACCLIMATISATION EFFORTS.

(By Telegraph.—Own Correspondent.)

CHR IST CHURCH, this day.

Although the majority of the snakes found at different times in New Zealand have been identified as sea snakes of tropical origin, instances of actual attempts to acclimatise land-dwelling reptiles were not wanting in the Dominion's early days. A misplaced curiosity on the subject of whether or not snakes could exist in the bush which then covered the greater part of the country was held to be at the root of such attempts. With a sublime disregard of possible consequences, zealous naturalists were in the habit of bringing ashore all manner of strange fauna and flora. Shipmasters, in quest of flax cargoes, were likewise responsible for the introduction of several well-known pests. There was a time, before the days of organised colonisation, when the North Island east coast Maoris carefully cultivated acres of the common dock, under the impression that the seeds given them in exchange for several tons of dressed flax were those of the tobacco plant. Alarm of the Maoris. In the days when the Akaroa settlement was young, nearly a century ago, an exciting snake hunt took place at Otipua, the promontory lying between Akaroa and German Bay (Takamatua). There lived at that time with the Maoris of Takapuneke, near the Red House, a coloured man, one "Jim," & sober, industrious character, whose surname has been lost in the mists of time. Having gone one day to the cliff which was used as a target by men-of-war frequenting the harbour, he was startled to discover unmistakable signs of a snake's presence. At once he hurried away to warn the Maoris on no account to go near the place, even for the purpose of gathering the shellfish found at low water at the foot of the cliff. There was 110 need for him to repeat the warning, for the news threw the Maoris into a state of intense excitement, and already in imagination they saw the peninsula swarming with venomous snakes.

Emulating St. Patrick. Mrs. Tikao, who afterwards related the tale to Canon Stack, said that "Jim." having been used to tracking and killing snakes in his own country, promised to rid the place of the pest. From the captain of one of the two French men-of-war which were in Akaroa harbour at the time, he obtained a musket and ammunition, while a ship's boat was sent in to join the flotilla of canoes and boats from which the Maoris, at a safe distance, watched "Jim" go ashore.

On landing, the valiant "Jim" picked a cautious wnv through the tussock grass and scrub of the hillside. Presently the watchers lost sight of him altogether, and he was so long hidden from view that they began to feel very much alarmed for his safety. The report of his musket, however, at last assured tliem of his escape, and presently they saw him coming down to the beach holding a rod on the end of which dangled a snake, fully a yard long. The reptile was spotted black and white. "Jim" told the Maoris that it would be necessary to burn the snake, in casq its young might come out and stock the peninsula, so they kindled a bonfire round which they danced excitedly while the reptile's body was consumed". How it came ashore at Otipua, and whence, has forever remained a mystery.