MAORI HISTORY.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 19204, 21 June 1924, Page 17

MAORI HISTORY.

divulging sacred traditions.

MEETING OF NORTHERN TRIBES.

The chiefs of tho Aupouri, Ngatikahu, Terarwa. Ngupuhi. and Ngatiwhutua lubes assembled at Hokiauga recently for the purpose, of compiling a complete history of their tribes (slates tho New Zealand Herald). Surviving chiefs realise that the time has arrived for the remaining high priests and historians to unbosom sacred genealogies handed down to them through the ages of Maori traditions. Aoout a mouth :mo notices were circulated by Wirepin llikihana and the noted Ngapuhi chief. Re Te. ’Lai, throughout, the northern district from Tautaki to Torcinga Wnirau (Spirits Bay). The old chief Re Te Tai, addressing the people, said: — ‘‘Listen, oh, my people. As my steps are now nearing the horizon, I have invited you (o assemble here before ino to listen to rny last wishes. Front the days of your ancestors down to the present time the Ngapuhi have never yet divulged their sacred traditions to be placed on record; but times have changed. Christianity lias been established in the land of your forefathers. A solmn treaty exists between your forefathers and the great white Queen, Victoria. I have now decided to unbosom to you the sat red genealogies of your ancesfovs, commencing from God to tho piv-ent general ion.” After the chief's address eight, members of tho tribe were elected as a record it»g committee. An executive committee was also elected, consisting of 16 member* of the tribes, Hole, Wepeha being elected chairman. The opening ceremony was conducted by Re Te Tai, now 90 years of age. it was the kara. kiapihi (sacred dirge) of the Ngapuhi Tribe, No other tnble in Net/ Zealand has this dirge. The eld ks who were recording were unable to take it down in shorthand, and the chief was highly disgusted with his eight clerks —all had received college education and their chairman for insisting on his repenting it and going slow. It. look him three days to give his records. As the mailer is of great, importance to all non-hern Maoris the executive committee has decided to take a further record throughout the district till the history is completed. It was un.'inimonsly agreed that when the records were complete a filial meeting should bo held at Hokiauga. when an invitation would he sent, to tlte Minister of Native Affairs to he present. Re Te Tai will band over to him Ihe records for safe keeping by (ho Government, for the benefit of future generations of tho Ngapuhi Tribe.