LETTERS TO THE EDITOR.

Nelson Examiner and New Zealand Chronicle, Volume X, Issue 486, 28 June 1851, Page 76

LETTERS TO THE EDITOR.

EARLY HISTORY AND CUSTOMS OF THE NEW ZEALANDERS. Sir — In my two former letters I furnished what I believed to be in the main a correct account of the first peopling of this country by the present race of natives, the traditions from which I derived my information being greatly strengthened by collateral circumstances which bad come within my knowledge ; and as some of your readers may be desirous of learning something of the early history and customs of this people, I will now impart such facts as I was able to collect during my residence among them.

Tha history of the New Zealanders, from their arrival on these shores down to the landing here of the first missionaries, will never be written, and perhaps tha world will not be a loser by it remaining for ever a blank, as the numerous facts which can be gathered all go to show that, could it be done, it would present only a dark and revolting picture. The history of one year, with some little variations, would be but a type of the history of ages past, showing that the sole object of the people was the destruction of each other, and that they were a race of beings deeply polluted with crime and blood — demonized and degraded as hell itself. The franctic yell and horrid war-whoop were rung through these woods and wilds in one continuous death-knell; whole districts depopulated; and the gloomy dance, and song of blood and woe, converted this smiling land into an abode of demons. Constantly was

to be seen the maddened glare of hideous groups, grinning aghast with rage and pangs of fury, each bosom heaving furious as Etna ; whilst from, blazing eyes, more deadly than the basilisk's, shot the fire of deepest hate, which was quenched only in the blood and torments of their fellow-men. Here, sir, is a brief epitome of what the history of New Zealand would be, if written. Revenge was the New Zealander's god, dark revenge his glory, and cruel hate the idol of his soul. He was not content with torturing his enemy, until the last drops of his life's blood had run out, but even after that, his victim was roasted and eaten, and his richest repast was to suck out the brains from his scull. Nay, such was their unnatural appetite for this dainty dish, that when an enemy was not to be met with, parents have actually killed their own children in order to have a delicious feast of rora. This they have declared to me with the utmost simplicity, as though there was nothing in it to excite either disgust or horror. But enough of this subject. When the Maories reached New Zealand, they lived on such things as were indigenous to the island, viz., manuka giant, low fern, pohue (a creeping plant), some few fruits, the native dog and rat, the guana, the kiwi, and the moa. The latter massive bird appears to have abounded about South Wairoate ; at Orangatuapeka I have seen vast quantities of their bones. Turi and his family, on landing at Patea, had only seven J|gperas left, which they planted at Hekeipapa, from these the whole islands are said to have been supplied. Tradition also says that the kopaus, or black potatoes, were brought afterwards by one Tatairongo ; hence they are still called by the natives, " he Tatairongo." The Ngatiruanuis believed only in the existence of a reinga, or hell ; this, they say, was made by the god Miretu, at the North Cape, and was divided into five divisions^ or stories, and that the souls of those who had been most wicked were cast by Miretu into the nethermost dungeon; the next in wickedness into the next above, and so on; the top compartment being reserved for those who had been most virtuous, and also for the souls of children ; and that the punishment of those below consisted in being obliged to live amongst the excrements of those above them. Their traditions state that roan was made out of the earth, and that this man, or deini-god, as they term him, made the woman out of the earth for himself, and that by these two the world was peopled. They appear to have no idea of the one selfexistent and eternal God; they believed in many gods, but these had originated in the 6ouls of men. Ko Maru was their god of war — their god of power, as his name signifies, the Bruiser. I bought a representation of him whilst I lired amongst them, and a strangelooking fellow he |was. Their next principal gods were Maui, Uenuku, Rehua. Rakeirora, Tutangatakino, Wakaitupaua, Mokahukuaru, and Taniroa. With respect to their heathen worship, they were very 6trict and diligent, not only in more important matters, but also in matters comparatively indifferent, descending even to the staff on which they leaned. Their fighting 6pears, lances, clubs, shields, and every other offensive and defensive weapon, were baptized and rebaptized on every fresh occasion for their use ; they had also particular prayers for every weapon they carried into the field of battle, invoking their respective gods for success ; they had prayers also for each limb or member of the body, as the particular services of that limb

or member were required ; they held also that every man who had committed any 6in against the gods, previous to an engagement, would inevitably fall in battle; they also believed that they would be unsuccessful in fight if they left work half finished. Jheir mode of warfare was generally by skirling; but where opportunity offered, and the opposing tribes determined to try their powers band to hand, they formed themselves into triangles, the leading points being composed of the bravest and most expert warriors ; and in these conflicts the carnage was dreadful, for they fought like so many incarnate fiends, and gave no quarter in action. The mode of executing their prisoners was as follows— A common prisoner was despatched by driving the tomahawk, or meripoenamu, into bis head, while the heads of the principal men were cut off, and carried on sticks in triumph ; a chief was placed in the centre of a circle, and speared by those who surrounded him, and the blood drank by them as it oozed from the wounds; every means being taken in the horrid process to make him flinch, in order that he might forfeit the name of a warrior. It may seem strange to many to be told, that this brutalized and degraded people were a remnant of the Ten Tribes, but in my next letter I shall be able to give some traditions and facts wnich go to show, that the New Zealanders have an Asiatic, if not a Jewish origin. Yours, &c, W. Hough.

The Admiralty have wisely determined not to incur the expense of the voyage of the Acheron, surveying steam vessel, Captain Stokes, from New Zealand to England, or that of sending out another 6teamer to relieve her. Her condition in bull and machinery having [been carefully ascertained, their Lordships have ordered her to be paid off at Sydney, and her officers and men, desirous of a passage to England, to be sent home in the Havanah and Fly. The necessary stores for repairs and re-equipment will be Bent out by the men-of-war. She will be refitted on the station, and re- commissioned as a lender to the Calliope ; and as many of the crew, we presume, as feel disposed, will be reentered m her for further service.— United Service Gazette.