Nelson Evening Mail SATURDAY, AUGUST 16, 1924 MAORI SEA KINGS

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume LVI, 16 August 1924, Page 4

Nelson Evening Mail SATURDAY, AUGUST 16, 1924 MAORI SEA KINGS

ONE of the most interesting chapters in Mr Elsdon Best’s recently-published book on the Maori is that dealing with the daring sea-vovages of a people still in tlie Stone Age stage of culture. Atone time, before the labours of a keen and careful body of investigators had shown the idea to be quite erroneous, if was considered that the peopling of the islands of the Pacific could only ho explained by a theory of a sunken continent, which in times past ’had provided a land connection between all the mountain peaks represented by tlie islets of to-day. Even ’William Colenso, who added much to our knowledge of tlie Maori, held that for tlie race to have reached New Zealand by means of a sea-voyage was out of tlie question. He claimed that their ‘‘frail canoes” made such a feat impossible. Others have supposed that the peopling of New Zealand was accidental. A well-known picture vividly illustrates this idea. The great double-canoe, hopelessly lost in the trackless Southern Ocean, drives along with her freight of the dead and dying. Starvation marks the gaunt frames; madness and delirium shows itself on the faces of some and the listnessness of weakness on others. Suddenly, across the heaving plain of waters the long line of the New Zealand coast appears ahead, hut only five or six enfeebled and trembling wretches can respond to the. look-out’s cry. It is a fine picture, finely true in its stark realism, but not such a picture as modern research would accept as embodying its views of the probable circumstances under which the first Maoris made the landfall of Aotcaroa.

Instead of the outlying lands of the Pacific having been colonised by stray crews driven out of their way by tempests, there is now every reason to believe that such colonisation was the result of deliberate voyages of discovery. That, in some cases, accidental discovery by storm-driven canoes may have occurred is true, but such cases were probably rare. A canoe, driven suddenly ofl'-sliore, or blown far out of her course, would not he likely to he provisioned for an extended voyage, while an organised expedition would he well-found in necessaries and capable of accomplishing a long sea journey. When we think or speak of the “canoes” of the Polynesians it is necessary to remember that such vessels were very different from the unstable craft usually denoted by- the term. Tlie big voyaging canoes were sometimes as much as 100 feet long; anywhere from f)0 to 100 feet was a common length. Frequently two of these were lashed together and provided with a platform or deck, on which a sort of cabin was erected. Preferable for long voyages to these double-canoes was the canoe and outrigger. Though not so commodious it was safer, faster and more easily handled.

When a voyage of long duration was projected it was not Unusual for a vessel to be specially fashioned for the undertaking. A huge tree was cut down and hollowed out to form the hull. Planks to form side-strakes, thwarts, stanchions, prow, stern-posts and other necessary parts were roughly adzed into shape and then allowed Lo season thoroughly. When sufficiently dry they were,finished olf and fitted to their places with lashings of plant fibre. One or more masts were provided. with matting sails; also paddles, bailers and anchors. Of anchors, two were carried, tlie smaller punga torewa or . drift anchor, and the large punga whakawhenua or ground anchor. In riding out a storm both anchors would be let down to such depths as would throw the prow well up and at the same time steady the craft. In all emergencies ihe amatonga or sca-expcit took charge and directed operations. Four to eight steersmen, according to the size of the vessel, manipulated the long steer oars. When setting out on a long voyage (lie stern thwart would he occupied l>\ a priest or priests, whose business it. was to arrange, matters with the gods. Next eame the thwart set apart for the steersmen, then that tor the leading chief, the succeeding spaces being allotted in due order; everything was done methodically and alt contusion avoided. Large quantities of seastores, consisting of eocoanuls, dried fish, and preserved shellfish, with kunieru and other vegetables, weie taken aboard, water being carried in gotnds, kelp vessels, and bamboo stalks.

When all was ready an auspicious day was chosen by the tohungus; many powerful charms were recited to ensure the success of the voyage; the amatonga gave the word, the paddles dipped, ami amid “Ilaereras” and answering “Enoho ties" Hie great canoe glides out of the bay. She heads for the open sea; soon the (dwindling home-island melts from viewnight closes in and the stars give guidance; the dawn breaks and again tlie evening draws on. ' Perchance the wrath of Hine-moana, the fury of the storm, bursts upon them. Round

conics the prow; the anchors are lei

go: the steersmen grip I heir long sweeps, and with good seamanship and the help of the gods they ride it out. Again they lake up the water trail. Day after day they sail into th" unknown.

The sun sags down on Tama’s path Across i lie changing sky : New stars up-leap above I lie deep To meet the wondering eve;

New seas are spread on every side New skies are overhead; New lands a wail the Sea Kings In Ihe vast grey seas ahead.

And one of those "new lands’ was New Zealand, Aotea roa. the Long White Cloud.