"Passing Maori Memories”

Manawatu Times, Volume LVI, Issue 7066, 27 January 1933, Page 6

"Passing Maori Memories”

HONEST AND SIMPLE [Recorded by “ J.H.S.” for the Times. ] Theft was unknown to the Maori. Land belonged to all, as also did food. There was no- money except the precious pounamu which could always he protected hy Tapu. In the early days our qld henchman Ropata when dusting the rooms carefully placed the stray gold and silver coins in the tin candlestick.

A postmistress paid a youth £4 too much hy a £5 note mistaken.for £l. On enquiring of the chief oi' his trihe, the £5 note was returned, hut nothing could induce him to accept the £l—his simple knowledge of finance did not extend so far.

A Maori sold his produce hy auction. Next day he brought the sale note and a tattered old ready reckoner to show he was short paid. The busy auctioneer satisfied tho Maori hy pointing out that the hook, like last year's almanac, was “out-of-date.”

A tricky land buyer agreed in virtue of being a lessee that he should share equally in the proceeds with the three Maori owners. He divided tho £250 in single notes “one for you, one for me,” with each of the other three in turn, carefully putting his treble share out of sight each time.

It was trickery such as this that converted our friendly allies into deadly enemies bound by the sacred law of Utu to make reprisals. They were good friends to honest men, relentless enemies to all rogues.