MAORI MEMORIES

Wairarapa Times-Age, 15 July 1939, Page 10

MAORI MEMORIES

— » THE MAORI GIFT OF ELOQUENCE. (Recorded by J.H.S. for “Times-Age.”) In the very early days of Wanganui there arrived from an unknown country a stranger whose knowledge of our language was confined to a dozen words regarding food. His name sounded like Yohann Gerty, so the pioneers called him “John Gotty.” He soon learned to speak English, and, having capital from -some secret hoard, acquired a farm property near Wanganui named “Kai Kokopu,” which he subsequently sold and went to live at Matahiwi, near Bulls. There he quickly acquired the eloquent yet simple language of the Maori, and married, a handsome woman of the now extinct tribe Nga Uru Kehu (hawk’s plumage). Her lighter brown skin, brown hair and acquiline features were transmitted to her two stalwart sons, both of whom were in due course sent to Cambridge University. The elder son John made a name for himself, especially as a distinguished speaker. His course of education being finished, he returned to his parents’ home, bringing among his prizes a handsome volume of “The Lays of Ancient Rome,” on the title page of which was inscribed these memorable words: —“Presented to John Gotty, Esquire, of New Zealand, First Prize for Elocution against all England.—W. E. Gladstone, G. A. Selwyn, Governors of the College.” At many a social evening in the village named “Bulls,” in honour of its pioneer storekeeper, James Bull, the people of the district were charmed by his recitals, especially with that of “On Lyndon when the sun was low,” with which he had gained such distinction at the university competitions. John married a worthy woman of the Ngati Raukawa tribe, and having been taught no “useful things” at the Academy of learning, preferred to live the leisurely life of his tribe. A strange and remarkable sequel will be told in the next “Maori Memory,”