MAORI HISTORY

Evening Post, Volume CVII, Issue 141, 16 June 1924, Page 6

MAORI HISTORY

DIVULGING SACRED TRADITIONS

MEETING OF NORTHERN TRD3ES.

(81 TSItQRAI'H.—SPECIAL TO THE POST.)

AUCKLAND. This Day

The chiefs of the Aupouri, Ngatikahu, Ttrarawa, Ngapuhi, arid Ngatiwhatua Tribes assembled at Hokianga recently for the purpose of compiling a complete history of their tribes. Surviving chiefs realise that the time has arrived for the remaining high priests and historians to unbosom sacred gensologies handed down to them through the ages of Maori traditions. About a month ago notices were circulated by .Wiremu Eikihana and the noted Ngapuhi chief, He -Te Tai, throughout the northern district from Tamaki to Tereinsa" Wairua (Spirits Bay). The old chief Re Te Tai, addressing his people, stated:— "Listen, oh my people. As my steps aie now Hearing the "horizon. I have invited you- to assemble here before me to listen to my last wishes. From the days of your ancestors down to the present time the Ngapuhi have never yet divulged their sacred traditions to be placed on record; but times have changed. Christianity has been established in the land of your forefathers. A, solemn Treaty exists between your forefathers and the* great white Queen, victoria. I have now decided to unbosom to you the sacred geneologies of your ancestors, commencing, from God to the present generation." After the chief's address eight members of the tribe were elected as a, Recording Committee. An Executive Committee was also elected, consisting of 16 members of the tribes, Hoie Wepeha being elected chairman. The opening ceremony was conducted by Re T? Tai, now 90 years of age. It was the kara kiapihi (sacred, dirge) of tho Ngapuhi Tribe. No other tribe in New Zealand have this dirge. The clerks who were recording" were unable to take ifc down in shorthand, and' the chief was highly disgusted with his eight clerka —all had received college education—. and their chairman for insisting on his repeating it and going slow. It, took him three days to give his records. As the matter is of great importance to all northern Maoris, the executive committee has decided to take a further record throughout the district until the history is completed. It was unanimously agreed that when the records were complete a final meeting should be held in Hokianga. when, an invitation would be sent to the "Minister of Native Affairs 'to be present. Re Te Tai will hand over to him the records for safe keeping by the. Government for the benefit of future generations of the Ngapuhi Tribe.