THE TAMIHANA UTU EPISODE.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 12445, 30 August 1902, Page 8

THE TAMIHANA UTU EPISODE.

TO THE EDITOR.' Sir,—Mr Fairolough desires information relative to the utu, proposed to be exacted by Topi from the Waito.i (Tamihana's people). I readily comply with the request, so far as my information goes.' When Tamihana reachcd Ruapuke Topi resided at the Bluff. He and a party of his men from the island formed a boat crew/ attached to Awarua whale station. Topi acted as headsman or harpoonor. Hearing of Tamihana's arrival they discussed its merits amongst themselves. That led to the question of Tami-haranui's death iu 1831. One portion contended utu was due. Others maintained it was a just reprisal ' for tho death of To Pehi, on the occasion of To Rauparalia's first visit to the Kaikouras. The question eventually became* ngaraliu (consular) of the tribe, 1 by whom it was decided against the claim. These proceedings extended over weeks, during which Tamihana's missionary labours were suspended, and he kept himself aloof. Ko know his life was in jeopardy, but he never made tho slightest attempt to evade consequences. As soon as the point was settled he resumed his mission, and proceeded as if no interruption had occurred. The above is one of a collection of oral traditions of. tho Foveaux Straits. I got it from Topi himself during a few woeks' stay on tho island. In closing the correspondence permit me respeotfully to add; I have boen prompted by no motive other thati a desire to seo the rare historical romance of New Zealand South—its raw material—rescued from, oblivion and put on correot lines, leaving tame and circumstances to work out the historical narrative.—l am, etc., Ro. Carrick.