AN ANCIENT TAIAHA.

Taranaki Daily News, 12 June 1926, Page 13

AN ANCIENT TAIAHA.

PRESENTATION AT AUCKLAND. An ancient taialia was presented to the Auckland Savage Culb by Savage Atua, leader of the New Plymouth Savage Club’s haka team upon the occasion of their recent visit to Auckland. Savage Atua related its history in the following words;— “This taialia was the personal property of the famous Titokowaru, the hero of Te Ngutu-o-te-Manu, a descendant of the hapu who came in the Canoe Aotea. Subsequently the taiaha drifted to. Parihaka into the possession of one of the noted men in the pa, Tohu Kakahi, who in turn presented me (Te Atua) with it on the occasion of my appointment to the position ,of leader of the poi and. haka parties in Parihaka. “This is the occasion on which my canoe Tokomaru has been able to bring our Chief Rangatira Waiata (Wyatt) and his famous haka party under my leadership to visit and to survey the Tainui Waters, and in order to give expression to my deep gratitude and appreciation of the delightful reception meted out to cur Chief Rangatira and the brother Savages from the Tokomaru canoe, it is only fitting that I bring with me this taiaha, which I value very much, and on this occasion will pass it 011 to Chief Rangatira Makoi (McKoy), head of the hapu of the Tainui Canoe, as a lasting token of Arolia by the giver, Te Atua, and to commemorate this visit f the Tokomaru Hapu to your famous Tainui Waters. “Take note, I have attached to this old-time, bloodthirsty, famous weapon these colours representing the Union Jack, which will bring back to our minds the sweet memories of our late beloved Queen Victoria, who at the time when this weapon was being wielded by Titokowaru at Te Ngutu-o-te-Manu, made and signed Treaties, including the Treaty of Waitangi, that peace may prevail. Hence the emblem attached will bind the hapus of the Canoes Aotea, Tainui, Kuraha-upo and Tokomaru together in perfect harmony under the sway and protection of the Taiaha and tne Union Jack. Let us live in peace.”