TOI MAY REFER TO TRIBE AND NOT JUST A MAN

Bay of Plenty Beacon, Volume 14, Issue 96, 10 February 1950, Page 5

TOI MAY REFER TO TRIBE AND NOT JUST A MAN

While he agreed that there probably lived a man at Whakatane called Toi in pre-European days it was possible that Maoris who claimed descent from Toi really meant the tribe of Toi and not the individual, Mr C. Kingsley-Smith told the Whakatane Rotary Club on Tuesday night. In his research into ancient Maori history he said that he had found that Maoris all over % New Zealand claimed descent from Toi. They probably meant they were descended from his tribe and not the man himself. But through the centuries they had come 4° fuse the tribe of Toi with Toi the man. Mr Kingsley-Smith remarked that this was similar in many ways to the question of the old tribes of Israel and the way they were named. Calling his address “Fabled Whakatane” Mr Kingsley-Smith traced the history of the town and district' from the time of the arrival of the Matatua canoe. Tragic Massacre

He quoted different tales and legends of the district and mentioned the famous ride of the tohunga Titahi on the back of a whale from White Island. Other interesting topics touched by Mr KingsleySmith were not so obscured by legends. The tragic massacre of the brig Haweas off Whale Island was the cause of a dishonourable act on the part of the Government at that time. The massacre was carried out by two followers of the hau hau faith.

Following this they escaped to Te Teko whqre they claimed hospitality from the Maoris of the district. 'This could not be refused arid when the militia arrived for the culprits the Te Teko Maoris, as was the custom, refused to release them. But following discussions between the leaders of each side the Government leader with the army promised that if the two men were handed over the remainder of the Maoris would not be harmed or punished in any way at all. These terms were accepted and the murderers were handed across. They were taken to and hanged. But the Government refused to keep the word of its representative and confiscated 50,000 acres of some '■of the best tribal lands belonging to the Maoris of the district. This thoughtless action by apparently responsible leaders of the country caused much harm and even today Maoris resent the presence of the confiscation line and the thought of all their land that was taken from them. Appeal To Assist

Before concluding his address Mr Kingsley-Smith referred to the Maori as he was today. The Maori was the most' intelligent of native races and although the race was advancing alongside the Pakeha many Maoris had unfortunately adopted some of the bad habits of the European. With understanding and genuine assistance the white man could help the Maori along the right paths of European civilisation. To this end Whakatane) members of the international Rotary movement could do much. They lived in an area thickly populated by Maoris anfl Mr KingsleySmith urged them tb do all in their power to assist this hospitable and proud people along the correct roads of life in New Zealand today.