TOHUNGAS AT WORK

Gisborne Times, Volume LV, Issue 6184, 15 September 1921, Page 3

TOHUNGAS AT WORK

STRANGE CUSTOMS ON THE Vjc/AOX. INCIDENTS OF THE 'NINETIES. MR W. J-- WHEELER’S REMINISCENCES. Chatting; the • other day with, a Times representative on life on the East Coast in the ’nineties, Mr W. J. Wheeler, Land Officer and Inspector of Surveys, who is to retire at tlio end of this month, referred to several incidents in his career as surveyor, and a chance remark on. tohungaism recalled memories in connection with this remarkable phase of Maori life. In 1898 Mr Wheeler and a party went up the Coast on survey work ■in connection with a proposal originating with Mr W. O’Ryan, engineer to the Waiapu County Counc-i, the idea being to improve the existing road, which then pursued the eastern side of the Hikuwai River, and involved several arduous ascents. Mr O’Kyan arranged with the Survey Department for Mr Wheeler to deviate this road at the crossing of the Hikuwai, near Mr J. R. Murphy’s ko.use at Mungaroa. Camped upon the flat where Mr O’Ryan wished to run the new road was one of those old-time tohungas' called Peta Toto. For those interested in Maori names it might be explained that Peta is ami abbreviation for Arapeta, or Albert, and that Toto mean 6 “blood.” As the adjective follows the noun in the Maori language the literal translation would tnerefore be “Bloody Albert.” There were a considerable number of 6ick people undergoing treatment by Peta, who was probably a man sixty years of age. His system of cure was similar to that prescribed by Elisha for Naaman, the Syrian captain, namely, to go and wash in the cold water, in this case the Hikuwai Stream.

Mr Wheeler had some interesting conversations .with the tohunga from which he gathered that Peta believed that most of the sicknesses arose from the fact tnat the pa tier', was possessed of demons, which his treatment’with cold water and the proper ancient Maori incantations were designed to expel from the bodies of his patients. Mr Wheeler suggested to the tohnnga that his treatment was dangerous to people of advanced years, and recommendeu him to use hot water for - e older people. His reply was, “Oli, there are hot-water doctors and .coldwater doctors. I belong to the latter class.”

“BUY A WIFE.” Amongst one of his patients was a very fine young Maori about 25 years of age, who was certainly mentally deranged. He had achieved a reputation for alacrity in fetching in food supplies, but even the tohunga did not suggest that he should do any other work, such- as wood-chopping, etc., because he was just as likely to use tn>‘ axe on the tohunga or anyone else who attempted to impose an unpleasant task upon, him as on the wood. He spoKO beautiful English, and when the other natives, with Peta, tried to stop the survey of Mr O’Ryan’s road, tins young native came and talked to Mr Wheeler and his party, assuring them that he was perfectly agreeable to the road being made. One of the party —Mr Jack Hales (now at Tokomaru bay)—was always of mirthful disposition', and when this young native asked him if he was married he replied in the negative, to the amusement of the rest of the party, who were acquainted with Mr Hales’ family. The afflicted one thereupon told him to “wire-in and get your pay and buy a wife.” This became a stock* saying in the camp for months afterwards. “YOU’VE RETURNED, SATAN!” At length came the day when. Mr Wheeler commenced taking hearings ana distances of the new road laid out under Mr O’Ryan’s direction. The aged tohunga looked on, but could see no means of stopping the survey party. Then he bethought himself of a plan, and ordered a very substantial old lady io sit upon the pegs. Needless to say, .the waliine’s garments enveloped tne pegs, so that for i time being an accurate hearing- could not he obtained. A little patience had to be exercised because it was not thought needful to make a court case of tins matter. The tohnnga, however, kept a watchful eye, and, meeting Mr Wheeler subsequently, he accosted him with the words, “So you’ve returned, Satan, to your eyil work.” It so happened. however, that “Satan,” as personified in. Mr Wheeler, had m tuo meantime obtained the necessary beniing without the knowledge of the coldwater “prophet,” and the survey was satisfactorily completed. ROPATA TREATED BY TOHUNGA. This tohunga, Peta Toto, had been previously met by Colonel Porter and Mr Wheeler when acting as Native Land Purchase Officers;. He lived mostly between Tolaga and Tokomaru on ...e coast. When. Colonel Porter and Mr Wheeler first met him it was at ’ tne time of Major Ropata’s last sickness. Colonel Porter was a great friend of Major Ropata. and the latter had also assisted Mr Wheeler greatly in the survey troubles with the na-. tives (referred to in Mr Wheeler’s former reminiscences). They therefore went to see Major Ropata at Waipare, a little bay close to Anaura on the coast. It was with considerable difficulty that they obtained an interview, because Major Ropata was then undei the treatment of the cold-water prophet,” and it was only when Colonel Porter an<i Mr Wheeler told Toto that they had no spirits in their possession that lie allowed them to interview Major Ropata. One might say here, stated Mr Wheeler, that no tohunga likes the intrusion of a European upon any of his "patient because he knows that the average European is not a believei in incantations or native remedies, and he does not wish the; patient’s condition jeopardised by tne remarks or advice of any unbelieving pakeha. Mr ( Wheeler said that he mmself rather pitied Major Ropata, for although toe speaker was not partial to alcohol, to certainly thought at tlie time that Major Ropata would have enjoyed a good stiff whisky, because when they asked him what nourishment he was taking, his reply was that the only food in that locality was medicine. Mr Wheeler was unable to name the class of medicine used by the tohunga. but he knew that the old Maori had a very extensive knowledge of useful herbs, which knowledge, has vanished with Mr Wheeler recalls distinctly that a previous sickness of Major Ropata.’s had been relieved by the use of dandelion tea, which is . well known to be useful in checking kidney and dropsical tendencies.

'T VITENTS” EAT LEAVES OF BIBLE.

Some years previous to the advent of Beta Roto, there was a powerful and popular tohunga in the Waiapu, and he attracted much more attention than Beta. He was known by the name ox Werepu, and he had a large number of patients at Te Araroa. This man had most peculiar methods: He appeared to be a profoundly religious man and believed literally'in living by the Word of God. He would inquire the complaint of his patient, and having completed liis diagnosis he would then consult the Bible, turning over the leaves till he came to a portion suited to the complaint. He would then tear out this leaf and give it to the patient to swallow. He is credited with having done a certain amount of good, but Mr Wheeler never saw the evidence. Major Eopata was one of, the many patients who went to see him. It might here he noted that Major Eopata’s age had never been established, but Colonel Gudgeon be-

Tieved that he was one of the oldest, I if not the oldest, man. in the dis- ' trict, though he was of that spare and j active frame which does not seem to show the weight of years. Mr Wheel- • er asked Major Ropata on his return what he wrought of' the' tohunga. His reply was- that there was a mysterious power about that , man which he : believed was due tb', .the fact that lie lived a more godly" life than the rest of the -natives. and Europeans at Waiap.u. HOW THE! TOHUNGA DODGED WORK.

Whilst referring to tohungas, Mr Wheeler recollected subsequent experience, up the Wanganui, when sending out a party to survey a pack track. During this work one of tlie party, a Maori, fell down in an epileptic fit. When he came back to camp the other natives said to Mr Wheeler, “What a good job it was that Rawiri (Davia) was- with him.” “Why so?” asked Mr Wheeler. “Oh, Rawiri is a tohunga, and lie is the only man amongst us who could exercise the demon, because lie knew the proper incantations,” was the reply. Previous to this Mr Wheeler was quite innocent of the fact that he had a tohunga in the party, hut he admitted that Rawiri was the best mam with the gun he had met amongst tne natives. On one occasion Mr Wheeler gave him 33 cartridges and he brought back 33 pigeons. Rawiri was also a bit of a wag- Ho seemed to be able- to divine when any arduous work was. in view, and would say to the other Maoris, “I think Wheeler is going to bustle us hard Luis next fortnight.” Shortly after that he would come to Mr Wheeler’s tent and express hie deep solicitude for the welfare of his own boy, and ask to he allowed to go home to see him. ■When he knew from the other natives that the most strenuous work had been finished he would come back to camp. This happened twice, but on the third occasion. Mr .Wheeler thought it was time to draw tne line, and when he came hack and said that all Ms domestic troubles had ceased and he was ready to rejoin the party, Mr Wheeler was able, to comfort him by telling him that his troubles were also over and therefore Rawn-i’s assistance would not be required any more. Rawiri was quite taken aback wlien he say his prospect, of a continuance of the performance had disappeared.