THE FAIRIES OF _ WEKA PASS

Auckland Star, Volume LXX, Issue 17, 21 January 1939, Page 12 (Supplement)

THE FAIRIES OF _ WEKA PASS

by WEKA

"Once more we welcome our little friend," said the chief of the weka fairies. On a previous occasion when you came to see us, I told you the story of the visit of a beautiful human fairy queen. You will remember that I concluded the narrative where the queen and her escort were disappearing into the golden sunset., Most of the- visitors remained in the vicinity of the Waipara Flat until our energetic workers had completed the Queen Rock Monument. We had all been so interested and inspired by the presence of the queen that it was decided to hold another mass meeting before the various creatures returned to their respective homes. Consequently . 011 a bright, sunny morning I proceeded with my band of fairies to the meeting place just below the Weka Pass. We skirted the hillside where the railway line now runs up to Wailcari. and around the bend where we could secure an uninterrupted view of the thousands of creatures spread out on the flat. Our attention was attracted by a beautiful pigeon that was circling the flat as if on guard. Gradually the size of the circle was reduced and by the time we had reached a position near the centre of. the large crowd the pigeon shot down and perched neai&iiSSAvv*; * - I 4.hcn told' my. little friends the ereaturesHiow* pleased I was to see them living, so happily together. X reminded them of the occasion that had been responsible for their meeting each other. . From the advice given by our recent visitor I trusted that they would endeavour to carry out her instructions, and, by protecting the weaker ones, a very happy 3tate of life would prevail throughout the whole land. Then the graceful pigeon which later was known as Blueroeket told us of her great longing to help all creatures who were oppressed by strong and voracious foes. As she had been hunted from her native district she. would be happy, she said, to settle amongst us and help to carry out thenew state of existence as described by the fairy queen. At thi3 stage that wonderful frog that we learned to call Nevercroak also stated his intention to remain in the district and work amongst the Inhabitants to create a state of. affairs that would make these the envy of all the other known nations of the world. •; • Many years passed with very little trouble amongst the inhabitants. I have told you many stories of inci-

KARAKA AND THE DRAGON

dents that occurred long periods after the time of which I am now speaking. 131uerocket and Nevercroak gave us great help and prevented disaster to many of the creatures on various occasions. . It is my intention now to tell you the story of Clematis, a beautiful young .moa who lived with her tribe on the south bank of the Waipara River. Kowhai, the father of-Ciematis and the chief of this moa tribe, was a giand old bird, whose followers luid gieatly increased while living under the better conditions that existed since the inhabitants had agreed to live peacefully. Ivowhai's tribe kept to their own feeding grounds, and it was only on very rare occasions that any member of other communities became acquainted with Kowhai's people. Clematis was, of course, greatly admired by many of the young members of the tribe, but had so far not shown any signs of reciprocating their affection. One day the tribe was proceeding quietly up the Waipara River Valley to one of their okl feeding grounds at Karetu when their attention was drawn to • a solitary figure across the river making toward them from the hills now known as Gowan Peaks. A stranger from this direction had never been encountered before, and the excitement grew as lie approached. It could be seen that he was a moa of splendid proportions. He was taking great strides, and the poise of his head and the gleam in his eyes denoted watchfulness, fis well as strength. Kowhai stood on the bank of the river and hailed the stranger on the other side. "Who are you, and what (Jo you want in this district?." he demanded. "My name is Karaka, and I have come from the Waikari Flat," said the stranger. "The chief of our tribe Matagouri, is fierce and cruel. Indeed," tyranny is so oppressive that I could not stay in the district without killing him, so I decided "to leave and seek .'a more peaceful locality. Years ago we heard rumours of a great chief named Kowhai, who ruled his people without violence, and I am now seeking him, as I would i like to follow such a leader." I

Kowhai was pleased to learn that the fame of his people had reached into the Waikari district, so lie consented to Karaka joining his tribe, and permitted him to accompany them on their journey. Just as human beings are attracted to each other, so Clematis became very interested in Karaka, and the many strange -stories he could tell of life amongst the Matagouri people. Thus many of the young male birds became jealous of Karaka and wished that something would happen to bring about his downfall. However, the young couple became more and more attached to each other, and were quite unconscious of the growing menace occasioned by the spleen 9. liis unsuccessful rivals. These desperate young malcontents held a secret meeting and decided to lure Karaka to his death. For some months there had been a, persistent rumour that some distance up the river there had been seen a ti emendous creaturo more ponderous and powerful than any living thing that they had ever seen or dreamed of. This beast had four short legs and a huge tail. Its head was like that of the alligators the fairy queen had told us about. In these days you would call it a fierce dragon. Several of the more daring spirits had gone out to investigate, but, alas, none had returned. Therefore it was agreed that the unsuspecting Karaka should be 'enticed to the locality where the monster was supposed to be hidden, with tlio hope that he should also be numbered amongst the missing. Quite ignorant of the base intention of liis companions, Karaka was led up the river to explore a new tract of country which they had informed him would lead to adventures that his bold spirit longed to encounter. The party proceeded at a fast pace, the great strides of ' Karaka keeping him well in front. This suited his companions, as they desired him to be so far in the lead that he might be attacked by the monster ere they had reached the danger zone. In tills manner they made good progress. Karaka, 'seeing that his companions were being outpaced, reduced the length of his stride, and thus enabled them to draw nearer. Just ahead, in the

centre of the riverbed, lay 'a small island covered with dense bush. Karaka was heading in this direction with the view of reaching the top of the island, from whence he could obtain a better sight of the surrounding country. He was how only a short distance in front of his friends, who were quite ignorant of the fact that the monster they were hoping to meet had removed from his old quarters and had journeyed downstream. As they drew abreast of the island there was a blood-curdling roar from the ungainly beast now rushing in their direction. Karaka, still a little in the lead, rushed toward , the island, and on seeing an opening in the limestone rocks encouraged liis friends to greater exertions, as the beast was gaining on them at every bound. There was a hideous crunching sound as the great beast caught the hindmost fugitive. This delayed its progress for a moment, and the party, rushing at top speed, entered the gap that proved to be the mouth of a deep, narrow cave. Fortunately the opening was too small to enable their pursuer to enter. Its head and neck were pushed in after the frightened birds, but 'its massive shoulders held it back. Here was the bold Karaka, with his treacherous companions, held prisoner in a cave, with a ravenous monster keeping guard. In the meantime Clematis had been following the party, as she had somewhat resented being left behind. On reaching the top of a small hillock she was just in time to see her friends fleeing before the dreadful creature. To lier horror she 6aw it pause to devour one of the number, and she was almost frantic, as she believed it might have been her beloved Karaka. Bluerocket Informed her that Karaka had escaped into the cave and that she was 011 her way to secure the support of the weka fairies. Answering the call of Bluerocket, we were eoon on the scene, and by our magic enticed the dragon away from the cave. As it was lumbering up the bank of the river we fossilised the great monster, and you can now see the outline of its figure in the limestone formation. The guilty members of the party made a confession of their evil intentions, but were forgiven by Clematis and Karaka, who were too delighted at being reunited to. entertain the thought of reprisal against their betrayers.