WHICH RATU?

Gisborne Herald, Volume LXXIV, Issue 22426, 5 September 1947, Page 4

WHICH RATU?

Sir,—When I was editor of the Maori paper, Tc Pipiwharauroa, in 190 G, I wrote an article in reference to the name of the chief Ratu, mentioned by Captain Cook as wielding great mana on the East Coast. I stated, after consulting somebody, that the chief lived on tiie plains, and I also mentioned the names of the chief's living descendants. Some time later, Mrs- Kate Gannon (Mrs. Wyllie). a well-known expert on the history of Poverty Bay, wrote to the Maori paper, criticising my article. She contended that, the Ratu to whom Captain Cook referred lived in Titirangi pa and it was not the Ratu who lived in the country. She stated that when Captain Cook landed on the Kaiti Beach lire natives who first met his party must naturally have come clown from Titirangi, and when they were asked who the chief of the place was they would, of course, mention the Titirangi chief and not tiro one who lived in the country. No one replied to Mrs. Gannon. 1 am writing this because I have noticed that he claim is beiifg made that it .was Ilia .

country ciiief who was mentioned by Captain Cook. Some of the living descendants ol' the Titirangi chief are Mrs. Tui'cia and her brother Pani. ■ - - - K.T.K.