TE KOOTI RIKIRANCI.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXXVIII, 12 March 1914, Page 3

TE KOOTI RIKIRANCI.

THE REAL STORY OF THE REBEL LEADER.

WITH AN ACCOUNT OF THE MAORI FANATICAL RELIGIONS, PAI-MARJRE, RINGA-TU AND WAIRUA TABU. CHAPTER VIII.

ACROSS THE GREAT OCEAN OF KIWA

Returning to New Zealand records before its cession to Great Britain by the Treaty of Waitangi in 1840, it is coineidentjy notworthy that there was a warlike exodus of Maoris from New Zealand to the Chatham Islands iby a British trading vessel some thirty years prior to the escape of Te Kootiks followers from their place of exile ; the circumstances of the voyage by seizure of a ship were very similar. The brig Lord Rodney, of Sydney, under command of Captain Harewootl after trading along the west coast. , sailed into Port Nicholson tWelling--1 ton) on October 20, 1835, to complete bartering for articles of trade with the j Maoris, members- of the Taranaki ’ tribes who had conquered the Wellington district. When she let go her anchor a number of canoes, led by that of a chief, went alongside, and the oc-cupants-boarded the vessel. The captain supposed they had come to trade, but the Maoris had other intentions The leading warriors informed Captain Harewood that they wanted his vessel to transport, them to Wharekauri. It has been stated that they wished to escape threatened extermination by a powerful tribe at feud with them, but it seems most likely- that they were actuated purely by the desire for conquest. They were even then* preparing for raid on the South Is'and. but the Moriori of the Ghathams were an easier 'prey. Hundreds of Maoris crowded on board the brig, and the crew were helpless to oppose them. Tip- vessel being completely at tin* mercy of the savage boarders, the captain no doubt thought it wisest to negotiate terms. The council of elders (runanga) promised that if he transported' them willingly they would fid up the vessel with the trade the captain desired. It was then aranged to make two trips, as the brig’s capacity was limited, and on November 14 she sailed with some 500 persons of all ages and both sexes, belonging to tlio Ngati-Ta.ma and Ngati-Mutunga tribes The packed transport ship reached Iho Chathams on November 14, 1845, and the invaders at once made themselves masters of the is'and. The aboriginal owners, the Moriori. were not fighting men ; they were peace-lovers and untrained to defence, and so they very soon became serfs to the powerful Maori. The Lord Rodney, still under coercion, with a guard of Maoris on board, returned to New Zealand for the remainder of the people and took on her second voyage some 400 persons, arriving early in December, 1835. The captain then returned to Port Nicholas and Sydney. In chapter 111 of this story reference is made to a Native preacher, Te Note, He was one of these immigrant Maoris, and was oraained by the German mission.

* * * In the preceding chapte ■e left Te Kooti and his followers in full possession of the schooner Rifleman at the Chathams. Preparation was instantly made for departure for the voyage to New Zealand—across To Moana Nui a Kiwa, “The Great Ocean of Kiwa” of Maori song and legend. The chief offleed, Mr Payne, was directed by Te 1 Kooti, through Eru Peka, a halfcaste, who interpreted, that he must navigate the vessel to New Zealand, to Turanga (Poverty Bay), there to land the people; that if he did so faithfully he would be rewarded, if unfaithful he would be -killed. Then while the anchor was being weighed Te Kooti led a hymn of praise and thanksgiving to God for the deliverance from bondage. This solemn chant ended, several of the prisoners assisted the white crew to set sail, and at 7 p.m. on July 4, 1(868 the schooner left Waitangi harbor with the fanatic voyagers who were to spread such turmoil and bloodshed during four years of warfare throughout the East Coast extending to the far interior around Lakes Taupo, Rotorua and the fastnesses of the Urewcra mountains.

To the disappointment of the Maori escapees a stiff breeze from the west sprang up dead ahead, and the schooner had to run back to anchorage. Sails were stowed and the white crew were imprisoned below. At daylight on Sunday, the sth, she again sailed, the wind having changed to fair. All went well until the 7th, two days out from the Chathams, when head winds and heavy seas set in, lasting for two days and nights. Little progress was made, and (among the crowded escapees there was much sea-sickness and lamentation.

At last To Kooti was appealed to by the storm-racked people. He said to them: “God is angry. There ‘is among us one who is unfaithful to the Atua.” 1 Then many of tlie Maoris exclaimed, “Name him, that we may east Iwm into the sea.” » With an expression of sadness Te Kooti replied, “I must pray to God to disclose to une the one wanting in faith.” He retired, and after his prayer lay down and slept; it was believed that lie was to receive in sleep divine revelations. Rising after some time ho came forth again among the people, still wearing his sad, depressed look, real or assumed. Then came the people’s outcry, “Who is tlie man?” After much apparent reluctance To Kooti made reply: “My heart is sad and imy thoughts are dark,” he said.' “It is my uncle. God has revealed the name to me. The sinner is. Te Warihi, and to save us all aucf calm the sea he must be cast out from the faithful!”

Upon this several of the more desperate and unscrupulous men, whose .names I need not here divulge, seized Te Warihi, a fine old fellow, who was Te Kooti’s uncle, and prepared to heave him overboard from the bovrs.

Several of the women, tried to save (be old man but were rudely thrust aside by the -self-constituted execut oners. Bravely meeting his fate the victim mined to the assembled p oplo and facing Te kooti, then stand.ng some distance off, lie said: ‘‘l am ft not unfaithful to God. It is the vindictiveness of that incorrigible that causes my death” (“Ko to mau-a-hara na tana nanakia e whaka:uato ana alum,,). Before he could utter more Te Warihi was lifted struggling over the bows. Making a last effort to avert his fate he held on to-the rail with both fLands. One of the miscreant executioners struck; him on the knuckles causing him to fall into the sea. It is also said he was struck on the head, as lie did not rise again. In Aho chief officer’s account Warihi was said to have been tied, and it was also said that for some time he swam in the sea. I follow the Maori version. Thus was good old Warihi immolated on the altar of Te Kooti* s relentless ‘‘mau-a-hara."

I personally remember Warihi, a fine sample of the old Rargatira type. He was fairly tall, with oval face, fully tattooed; he had well-cut features, and ho was. of an amiable disposition. Rikirangi being his relative lie no doubt had suffered under the ‘‘M’uru ’ laws for the early misdeeds of the lawless nephew, hence too, his accusation of Te Kooti as “incorrigible" '(“nanakia”). There can be little doubt that his charge of vindictiveness stands upon good grounds, as will be seen by the following incidents related to me by the principal followers of To Kooti. About a month prior to foe escape of the prisoners. Te Kooti at one of the evening services produced a round while stone, which lie -said was a holy one placed nn his path by Te Atua, God ; it wa.s a portent which lie now gave to Ins followers to study and interpret. For six days they endeavored to solve the riddle of .the stone of omen but arrived at no answer to the problem, till at last Karanama Ngcrengere Te Kooti's lieutenant and right-hand supporter, solved it by saying: ‘‘The stone must be pounded into powder and as flour eaten by all the true worshippers of the Wairna Tapu" (the Holy Spirit). This was done and the- people consumed tlie powder. Te Warihi alone refused to partake.

Then To Kooti said: “It is light, that is the correct interpretation of the portent." and he deck: rod that the AUia meant them, his faithful followers, to escape from -bondage on the “Ra Tapu.” Sabbath of the next month. Warihi strongly expressed his scepticism, and ridiculed the white stone potion. On another occasion a f< w nights prior to the actual escape, after an unusually prolonged and earnest, service of prayer and hymn chanting. Te Kooti said: "Let us extinguish the lights and unite in supplicating God to give us His light to guide us on our path." Then, m the darkness, with hand-; a'l extended in the act of supplication. prayer was chanted, when to the amazement aiid awe o: the worshippers they saw the hands of their preacher Te Kooti. gradually become ■illuminated with a phosphorescent light extending to the finger tips. The people, overcome with •wonder and fear, exclaitnel, “He tohu'na te Atua” (“A sign from God”). Discussing tf.iis manifestation afterwards amongst themselves, many Maori contended that undoubtedly Te Kooti was the inspired of the “Wairna Tapu,” as their leader to salvation from the land of bondage and the hand of the oppressors. But old 'Warihi. without fear or hesitation, expressed his opinion that it wassail deceit, that tile crafty Te. Kooti had secretly nibbed his hands and fingers with phhosphorous match-heads.

This cruel murder on the high si as took place in the early morn of the 9t)h of July, five days out from the Chathams. The escapees afterwards stated as clear evidence of the justice of the execution, that wind and sea soon after abated, .giving them nothing but fair weather for the remainder of the voyage to New Zealand. The son of this victim of fanatical outrage, Paratene Tatae, subsequently served with ns among the friendly allies and lost no opportunity of avenging tihe slaying of his father. During the voyage the' strictest discipline was maintained. An armed guard was mounted day and night and sentries patrolled the deck. A close watch was 'kept upon the mate and crow. An armed Maori stood always alongside the man at the wheel and the course was watched narrowly, some of tin* Natives having had experience aboard coasting s -lioonei s and being familiar with tin' compass. The provisioning and cooking wore undertaken by several Maoris under control of the half-caste Eru IVka. bonot allowed to handle or cook food lest they might introduce “rongoa mate” (poison). The sleeping accommodation was fairly comfortable, although crowded, as they had'an ample supply of blankets and rugs, with plenty of hay for .bedding.

In the afternoon oi the 9th the Rifleman was running before a bre* zo from the east, when Te Kooti is said to have told his people that the New Zealand coast would' be semi at seven o'clock next morning, although the mate bail said they were still many days distant. At daylight the Maori look-out at the masthead sighted land, and by 8 a.m. they were off the East Cape and recognised the .lofty mountain Vlik'urangi, familiar to them all, looming up on the western horizon, a gladdening vision to the hearts of these weary exiles returning to Aotea-roa. By 7 in the evening anchor was dropped off the cove of Wharo-fliiga-ongo. .some eight miles southward of Te Kuri, or Young Nick’s Head, the .south point of Turanga, Poverty Bay. (To be continued.)