NEW ZEALAND STORY

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXIV, Issue 22670, 6 March 1937, Page 8 (Supplement)

NEW ZEALAND STORY

The Tata

By F. c. McGAUGHEY

(This is the first of i series of Maori tales. Watch this page for No. 2, "The Legend of Mount Manaia")

THE Tata had never been used. * Nuku-ta-whiti's youngest son had made it. Mokai was very proud of that tat'i, for it was the first carving he had done. He was so proud, that he had placed it by his mat when he lav down to sleep. "Perhaps to-morrow, he thought happily. "I shall be able to help bail water with my tata from our wonderful canoe." The moon shone through the window of the whare on Mokai lying fast asleep on his mat. It was a lovely night. By and by Mokai stirred and sat up. Yes, his lovely tata was still there. What if he should forget it tomorrow in the hurry of going away. He would take it down to the canoe now. Silently, he crept past the sleeping forms. Quietly, he went down to the canoe. How splendid it looked. He held the tata above his head. "Look, look my tata," he said, "isn't Mamari wonderful!'" A thought suddenly struck him; if the canoe had a name why not his tata. He had seen the tohunga. that day .saying incantations and charms over the canoe, when giving it its name, "Mamari." So Mokai placed his tata 011 the beach. Taking some sea-weed as had the tohunga, he stood with hands upstretched saying, Strong, strong he thy wood; Light, light be thy weight; Long, Jong be thy life. Protect for ever. O, God Maru, This my beautiful tata. Whose name shall be Rama. Having said this Mokai carefully placed Kama in the canoe and crept back to his place in the wliare. Rama found himself at the end of the canoe. The canoe was beautiful and fresh with a wonderful smell of new paint. Many provisions had already

that had been given by the first era* explorer, Kupe. "Steer thou ever to the south-west Steadily keep the prow directed to that part of the sky and you will reach the islands which Kupe found. "Also remember the words of Kim. himself. - * " 'When you get test to the islands k will be better for thee and for thy people to sail at once and examine th' 9 river, which I discovered, the mouth of which opens directly to the east, ward.' " i "Ajc," said Nuku-ta-whiti, "I remember well thy counsel." The Mamari was then pushed, from the shore, as many good-byes *et» shouted. Nuku-ta-whiti gave the wotf for the sails to be hoisted. The mgj began to paddle singing a chant u they worked. The voyage to the rm land, Aotea-roa had begun. For many days and nights, ti» Mamari sped 011 over the wide jet Only Mokifi's kind hands had held Kama as yet, for the weather had kept clear and fine. During the day the sna shone down from a clear skv. At night, the stars were seen shining; cheering the people on their way. One morning, dark clouds were is the sky. The friendly breeze that had helped so far, died away. Suddenly, the storm was upon the canoe. Hot the wind blew! Swiftly, the canoe raced before the wind, bounding over the great waves. Then, was Rama snatched from his resting place. These were not Raraa'i kind hands which held him now, bat strong, big hands working oh,, so hard to bail the water out of the canoe. How the waves rushed into the canoe. Once, Rama thought he would be carried 'away' into the sea, but the strong him tightly. At last after many wean' hours Rama was thrown into a corner. The storm was over.

When the waves were quieter Mokai looked round for Rauia. Poor Rama! How wet he was. Mokai held him oat in the sunshine to dry. How good it was to have the sunshine. Then suddenly Mokai felt sad again., There, right away across the blue waten were what looked like dark clouds. "Oh dear, oh dear,'' thought Mokii as he held Rama closely to him. "poor Rama will get wet again." But no one was taking any notice; perhaps h was wrong. So Mokai went to his father, the chief. "What is. that?" le asked, pointing to the dark line oil tie horizon. Nuku-fa-whiti was tired. Slowjr fca turned his head to look where Mai was pointing. Suddenly be gave i great shout. Land at last! How everyone sang and shouted for joy. Toward evening they were coasting along the shore looking for a landing place. At last, just as the stars begm to twinkle, a landing was made. Nnkn-ta-whiti gathered the people together to offer -thanks to the gods for their safe arrival. That night Mokai slept under a tree-fern with Rama held tightly in his hand. After a few days rest the party set off to find the site for their new home. Slowly they made their way up the west coast and then down the east. One day they came to an opening that looked like the one spoken about bj Kupe. ~ Up the harbour they sailed nntD they at last came to the foot of Mount Manaia. Here they landed, and here they made their home. So the first Maori canoe, tM Mamari, under the chief Nuku-ta-whiti arrived at Whangarei. (Would the author please send addrai to the Editor, Boys and Girls.)

been placed in the canoe. There were seed potatoes and dried stones of the Karaka tree. In boxes large numbers of rats had been placed. Dogs and water-hens were also to be taken. Great care had been taken to see that there was enough water for the journey. Early in the morning there was a great hurrying to and fro. At last, all the members of the one family, the Ngapuhi were safely on board. Kama thought he was going to be trodden on, but Mokai soon came and held him tightly in his arms. Many people had come to say goodbye. When all was ready, the tohunga stepped forward and chanted a last charm. Once again he gave to the chief, Nuku-ta-whiti, the directions