SCENES IN MAORI HISTORY.

Hawke's Bay Times, Volume I, Issue 7, 15 August 1861, Page 3

SCENES IN MAORI HISTORY.

BY Vf. B. B,

THE FIRST LANDING OF CAPTAIN COOK. Te Pourewa, in Tologa Bay, was the spot where the illustrious navigator, Cook, effected a landing upon the shores of New Zealand, after having been brought into collision with ths warlike natives of Turanganui, who valiantly disputed the landing upon the shores of their country of the kehua (spirits), from the motu tawhiti (foreign island). They still speak of the wonder and fear that poscsscd the minds of their fathers ns they saw, first, a white speck on the horizon, wliich, rapidly increasing in size, seemed to glide as a cloud, silently but rapidly, into the bay. Anon, the phenomenon become stationary; by degrees it folded its snowy wings ; their wonder grew with every change in its appearance, and reached its climax when they discerned forms resembling human beings, now rapidly mounting upwards, and again, to all abpearance, swinging in mid air. Soon a bark, not unlike their own canoes, was seen approaching the shore, followed by another, and yet another. Consternation reigned throughout the village. With trembling eagerness the warriors snatched up their rude weapons, and prepared for the defence of their homes ; matrons raised their discordant cry above the din and hubbub of voices, as they gathered their scattered offspring ready for flight ; while yet, impelled by womanly curiosity, they lingered to gaze upon the novel danger ; maidens and children rushed hither and thither, now clinging to lover, to brother, or parent, now rending the air with their awe! that thrilling, piercing, cry of mental agony and despair, wliich none who have once heard can ever forget. Suddenly, amidst the uproar, the startling blast of the pu iatara (conch shell trumpet,) was heard, the signal for deadly strife. In stentorian tones their leader shouted a war-cry too often heard in those troublesome times He whakaariki! He whakaariki! ! Tho spell was broken; the courage of one man inspirited the rest: and with headlong speed they rushed out to meet tiiefoe. Aearer and nearer the strangers drew;

their barks impelled onwards by rowers, who, strange to relate, sat with their backs to the prow! A form rose in the stem of the foremost one ; be waved bis hand ; yes, umnistakeably, ho was a man ; but, with what a complexion ! Verily, he was a Tear aka (albino), perchance, one ol the palupaiarelw, whom Maori fable represented as rivalling the snows of Hikurangi in whiteness. By his side stood another, not unlike a Maori, but fairer; fair as the far famed Hineliikoia. Waving Ids hand gracefully, ho addressed them, —Taiao (friends, the customary Tahitian salutation). No response -was heard from the savage band, who, their awe and anticipation of a supernatural visitation being overcome, glared with hideous ferocitv upon him and his companions. Again he spoke*, sounds not unlike those in common use among them selves fell upon the ear ; these served to strengthen their resolutions, and, when the foreigners attempted a landing, they showed so bold a front that the intruders were compelled to retire. But in proportion as their fears had lessened, and thov were encouraged in their apparent success, their insolence knew no bounds. One warrior, in particular, strove to outrival his fellows in showing his contempt for the enemy. A weapon was levelled at him. Supposing that his antagonist was about to hurl a spear, he threw up Ids loft arm covered with a heavy mat to parry the stroke. A jet of flame burst from the implement, followed by a loud ringing report, and he felt through the garment a concussion like that occasioned 0 by a handful of gravel thrown with great force. Por an instant he was paralyzed; wonder and fear, by turns, took posession of his mind ; but, finding himself unhurt, he became still more insolent. Again the weapon was levelled at him, again he threw up his heavy mat, again the flash, again the report, but not again was he scatheless. With a wild, piercing cry, he bounded in the air, and, with a heavy plash, fell writhing into the waters which laved the rock on which he had stood. His comrades gathered round him. The weapon itself had not been projected ; no, the stranger still held it in liis hand; but from a small orifice the warrior’s life-blood was pouring forth, dyeing the waters around him. Revenge, the darling passion of the savage mind in all countries, overcame fear; again they rushed upon the intruders, and the foremost fell with a heavy groan. Pear fell upon them, and with even greater speed than they had sallied forth, the panic-stricken warriors retired within their pa. The strangers, also, withdrew; and ere long the discomfited Maoris saw a cloud issue from the strange object—the mofu tawldti ; then a sound like the roar of Whatitiri, follow-ed by a heavy crash, and large splinters of rock, from an island near their pa, were hurled into the air. To their great satisfaction, they soon perceived a movement in the main tawhiti ; it spread its wings abroad, and was wafted out of their sight by the'iove bearing south wind.” The communicative Maori guide still points out to the Pakeha, as he travels alongthe Papawarik! beach, the rock that w’as split by the pit hoi-o ivhenua (land-devouring tube) of his illustrious countryman.