COMING OF THE CANOES.

Thames Star, Volume LXVI, Issue 20199, 28 December 1937, Page 4

COMING OF THE CANOES.

ARAWA AND TAINUI. Early Maori History. ABOUND HAUfIAKI GULF. ORIGIN OF LOCAL TRIBES. [Specially written for the "Thames Star" by W.11.j. (Concluded). The great Taknii chief felt that he could no longer remain in a land where he was looked upon as a common thief, so he called his wife and explained that he intended to make a new home for himself near Whakatiwai, in the Hauraki district. "When 1 have gone," he said, "should a male child be born call him Maru-tuahu." Hotunui, taking with him a.party of his people, travelled northward and then eastward until he reached Whakatiwai. Here he found the place occupied by the Uri-o-pou, who gave him and his followers permission to settle in their district. Hotunui had not long departed from Kawhia when his wife, Muri-rawhiti, gave birth to a son, and in compliance with the expressed wish of Hotunui called the child Maru-tuaha. Excelled in Sport. Maru developed into a well-built, vigorous boy, and excelled in all the .sports indulged in by the boys of 'his village. In running, wrestling and using the whip-top (potakata) he triumphed over all. In their jealous moods they called him by offensive names, as he had no father. His superior qualities, physically and mentally, allowed him to rise and when ho reached manhood he had become famous as a warrior, and his fame went far beyond his village. Naturally he wished to prove that his rank and lineage were equal to others, and made inquiries of his mother concerning his parentage. On learning that his father was Hotunui, and that Tie had left for a land in the direction of the rising sun, he determined to search for his missiiig parent. Accompanied by a slave, he set out and from village to village he journeyed, always inquiring about the direction taken by the Hotunui trek. At length they came to the coast near Whakatiwai,' and seeing a kohc-kohe tree in which Tlic tuis had congregated, Maru climbed into it in order to spear the birds. His slave sat below to receive the killed and wounded birds. Two young women in the vicinity, hearing the cry of an impaled tui, hastened to the tree, where they saw the slave and then his master, Maru. Found at Last. The latter made inquiries concerning the whereabouts of his father, rfnd was informed that he was living at their village not far away. Maru asked' them to return and inform Hotunui that he would soon receive visitors. The arrival of Maru was marked by tTie usual welcome and feast, and in tho course of time he took to himself two wives, Pare-moehau and Iline-urunga. The former wife bore liini three sons, Tama-te-ra, Tama-to-po and Whanaunga. From these sons have descended the Ngatitaniatera, Ngatirongo-u and Ngatiwhauaunga. The latter wife bore him two sons, IJgako and Taurakapakapa. From Ngako came The Ngatimaru. When Maru-tuahu had been with his father some time he made inquiries concerning the Uri-6-pou people, with whom Hotunui was living. A Crafty Trick. The old man aid not have much to say in their favour. They had insulted Hotunui on many occasions. Maru felt the insults Keenly and decided to obtain satisfaction from the Uri-o-pou, and in view of this commanded his people to make a large net. When this was completed they caught a large quantity of fish and invited the Uri-o-pou people to join them in a feast.

Ag the Uri-o-pou were a numerous people, Maru was afraid they would not accept the invitation, as the fish they caught seemed a small quantity when the great numbers of Uri-o-pda were considered. So, in order fo make the number of fish appear greater, they collected large numbers of leaves from the pukapuka, or wharangi trees. These broad leaves, with their white underside, resembled fish. The food for the feast was placed on a large stage called a whata. The broad leaves were packed with the patiki (flounder) to a great height and from a distance it appeared to'be all fish. The Slaughter. A large house was built to receive the guests. In length it was almost 500 feet. The invitation to the feast was acccped by the Uri-o-pou, the Marama and the Te-wai-o-taha people. At night they occupied the house and it was then that Maru's people fell upon them and slaughtered them all. The building was then set oh fire and the corpses within consumed by the flames. This slaughter was known as "Te iki puka puka." Maru's people now took possession of the land, and made slaves of what remained of the Uri-o-poa. Some who escaped fled to the north as far as Hokianga and threw in their lot with the Ngapuhi people.