NATIVE TRADITION.

New Zealand Times, Volume LXXII, Issue 4606, 10 March 1902, Page 5

NATIVE TRADITION.

Special to the “Times.” AUCKLAND, March 8. Mr H. M. Stowell (Haro Hongi), who was appointed by the Government last year to collect Maori folklore, history and tradition, passed through Auckland on his way South yesterday. Mr Stowell has been some months in north Auckland, among his Ngapuhi kinsmen, and from the old tohungas and other natives belonging to various tribes has collected a large amount of valuable information. It is reported that among tho traditions ho has unearthed is one that threatens to demolish tho beautiful Maori idyll. of Hinemoa and Tutanekai, which has been tho delight of so many poets and painters. To put it more exactly, the idyllic story will remain, but its location will he shifted from Rotorua and the Island of Mokoia to some place in distant and unknown Hawaiki. It appears that among the Northern tribes tho legend lingers of tho separated lovers brought together by tho gentleman “ Blowing-out-his-soul-upon-the-flute,” and by the .responsive lady swimming across a lake or lagoon to his expectant arms, hut the incident took place not at Rotorua but in Hawaiki, wherever that mystical region may he. Possibly the alleged discovery will occasion a warm controversy, for loyal New Zealanders in general and tho Tourist Department in particular will bo loth to have the Hot Lakes region robbed of one of its attractive features. For what are all the scenic charms of Lake Rotorua if dissociated from the Hinemoa myth? However, magna est veritas, and if Hare Hongi’s, discovery has no other good result it may lead to inquirers like Percy Smith and Edward Tregear. following up the clue obtained to the' whence of tho Maori. Until the vexed problem is solved let them but trace the Hinemoa legend to its original source, and they will settle one of the most difficult ethnic problems.