THIRD EDITION. ETIQUETTE IN WAR

Poverty Bay Herald, Volume LV, Issue 16866, 1 February 1929, Page 11

THIRD EDITION. ETIQUETTE IN WAR

CHIVALRY OF MAORIS NOTICE OF ATTACKS GIVEN “The etiquette of war slnnys a very complex side of the Maori character, stated Mr. T. IV. Downes, of Wanganui, in the course of a paper on Maori etiquette. presented to the anthropology section of the Science Congress in Auckland. “Again and again wo come across deeds of bravery and courtesy that would assuredly have earned decorations had there been such things in those days, and on the oilier hand ambuscade and treacherous deceit seem to have been part of the accepted code. “1. am informed by my Wanganui friends that in the old days it was the correct tiling to send word of tlm time of an intended attack, as. for instance, wlmii Kailiau shouted to his enemies, ‘When the moon is full expect, me, continued Mr. Downes. “I 'sually m formation was sent, to a besieged pa when the general assault, by storm would take place so that the garrison would be ready. When the battle of Motua was fought on the Wanganui Diver m itM the friendly natives drew up and allowed the Haulm us to land from their canoes at the northern end of the island and form up before an attack was made. The Hauhans on their part gave notice of the time of landing.

•■During a blockade it was no uncommon thing for a member of the attacking party to visit flic besieged pa oil friendly terms. If the besieged party was m very sore straits as to food or water it was a recognised form oi way etiquette tci allow a certain amount, of water to enter the pa with the messengers, but rtf course- water in any quantity or in calabashes was prohibited. rood was sometimes permitted in much the same •wav When the Makatotc pa, near Rentulie, was besieged the people inside were in s uch straits that they were exchanging children to keep the lighting men alive. In the midst, of their trouble a man called for Pehi Turoa, the leader of the besieging party, and. letting down his son a lad named Apanui, by a rope, he cried out, ‘Have a name V and spare my son. Vela took Ihe lad, and tying on 12 slicks of dried kmnara cried in return, Tull upUie rope. Here is new courage for you.’ “I cannot find that such acts as these were common, and it seems probable that, they only occurred between hapus that were connected by family lies; or possibly, as the above incident suggests, to add to the lustre of the victors crown. In the ease of a single combat, which was quite common between duels of opposing companies, etiquette demanded Hint the challenger give the. choice of weapons to his adversary. Herald.