Historic Mere

Sun (Auckland), Volume 1, Issue 86, 2 July 1927, Page 13

Historic Mere

j “THE LIGHTNING FLASH/* \ j Ap TER 40 YEARS UNDERGROUND IS DEPOSITED ' IN MUSEUM.

PEACE OFFERING TO HONGI

X E UIRA, or “The Lightning

Flash,” as the mere was known to its ancient Maori owners, has been deposited in the Auckland Museum for safe-keeping by Mr. George Graham. * hor the past forty years the historic weapon has reposed in an Auckland urupa. or graveyard. Recently, on the occasion of the death of one of Mr Graham’s daughters, it was handed to aim as a “Roimata." Roimata signifies- “tears, or a token of mourning.” The handing over of mere wjxs in accordance, therefore, with an old Maori custom.

Te TJira was the name of a Taranaki ancestor of the Ngati-Maru, who obtained the original stone from the Nga-ti-Ira of Cook Straits early in the seventeenth century. TE UI RA’S LUSTRE The fingers that caressed Te TJira or whirled him on high in battle have long since been dust. The beautiful weapon, which has been so carefully treasured by its native owners and handed down through the years, still, however, preserves its wonderful lustre and polish. The ancient artists who wrought Te TJira from his native greenstone assuredly knew their craft. Te TJira, an heirloom of the Marutualiu tribes of the Hauraki, originally came from Taranaki. It first came into prominence by being placed among the peace offerings of the Hauraki people to the redoubtable Hongi Ika at the Totara pa about 1821. In later years the mere appeared at the historic Kohimarama conference of ISSG, where it was restored by the Ngapuhi to the natives of the Hauraki. Ngakupa Whaunaunga, the custodian of Te TJira, carried it during the Waikato wars. The mere was in his hand during the defence of Rangiriri. When Ngakupa saw that the pa would bo captured by the English troops, be buried it in the parapets. Subsequently, however, the chieftain recovered it. FOR SAFE-KEEPING • From Ngakupa the mere passed into the possession of various owners. Ultimately, some 40 years ago, it was deposited in the native cemetery, from whence it emerged to go into the safekeeping of the museum. “The Lightning Flash,” through the instrumentality of Mr. Graham, who has been a, consistent supporter of the museum, will now be safely preserved until such time as its present-day owners require the mere.

Rich already in Maori treasure trove, the Auckland Museum welcomes Te Uira. —E.R.