EARLY SETTLERS

Dominion, Volume 11, Issue 285, 21 August 1918, Page 9

EARLY SETTLERS

TIIE MAORI

AS VOYAGER AND EXPLORER

A meeting of tho Early Settlors' and Historical Association was held last evening in Uodber's Rooms, Courtenay Place. Mr. John Smith presided, and there was a largo attendance of members. Air. Elsdou Best, tho well-known authority on Maori history, read a paper on "Tho Maori, Seafarer and Explorer. When ono landed on tho quay at Honolulu, said Mr. Best, one met tho Maori; at Easter Island tho Maori _ was again met; in tho Caroline Islands, in the Solomon Islands, and working southwards ou§ met tho Maori on almost every island. This widespread existence of the Maoris had given riso to the theory lhat a vast continent previously existed, otherwise tho peopling of tho islands so widely separated must have been a miracle. A vast deal of evidence was available to prove that Iho Maoris were descendants of a race of sea rovers in the Pacific. The Maori had a profound belief in his gods, and that behel enabled him to make thousands of miles of deep sea voyages with perfect eonhdencc. The Maoris entered the Pacific front tho west, and spread to the uttermost islands, but ever the migration followed tho rising sun. These great voyages were made bv barbarians of the Stone Age, mailing in dug-outs, and they carried their food plants wherever they went, and so brought four to New Zealand. Thev steered the vessels by the sun and stars; they studied the currents, the winds, and the stars, and although many vessels were lost, that never deter-1 red them. Centuries of seafaring had made tho old-time Maori a marvel of a seafarer. While we were clinging to the shores of England the Polynesian was colonising- the Pacific. Wo knew from traditions that many voyages were made to New Zealand. 1 The earliest voyage was made by two Maori?, and tlicy entered Wellington Harbour on their way south. They discovered on the West Coast of tho South Island Iho famous grcenstono, which was of the greatest importance to the Maoris, as it a fleeted their future life. They also saw (he moa. It was stated they found no people then in Now Zealand. This was thirty-one generations ago. Subsequent voyagers found tho Moriori. Ono voyager settled on Miramar about 700 years ago, and Miramar was then an island. Tho lineal descendant of Monaia, the great Polynesian A'iking, was Dr. I'omare. For many generations afterwards frequent voyages were made to and from New Zealand and Polynesia, and many of tho voyagers settled in New Zealand. Ono vessel arrived at Wliakatane from some unknown island, and contained a negroid type of sailors. This incident was preserved in Maori tradition. About twenty centuries ago several vessels left the Society Islands for New Zealand, and many of these returned to their homes. This traffic appears to havo ceased about 200 fo 250 years ago. ■ The vessels in tfhich these Polynesian Vikings made their deep-sea voyages were double canoes and outrigger canoes, and these were in use in Now Zealand in Cook's time. Sails were used especially for deep-sea voyages on the double canoes. The oufrigger canoe was easy to handle, safer and swifter. The Maoris on starling on a voyage chose the most favourable lime, and 1 lie trade winds wero a great assistance. They called at as many islands as possible lo refresh and repair. There was evidence that on their voyages from Rarotonga. to New Zealand a stay was made at Sunday Island, where there were stone implements of the Maoris. Above all, tho Maoris believed in their gods for both protection and guidance, and they were confident that so long as they did not offend their gods all would be well with them. Mr. Best's paper was highly interesting, and full of authentjc information obtained from Maori (raditions, legends, and folklore. Mr. Best was accorded a hearty, voto. of thanks for .his lecture.