THE TOA OR IRONWOOD TREE

Press, Volume LXXIV, Issue 22513, 22 September 1938, Page 5 (Supplement)

THE TOA OR IRONWOOD TREE

In many of the islands of the south seas there grows a strong and beautiful tree called toa by the natives and ironwood by the Europeans, The strong hard wood of this tree was invaluable to the natives for making spears, clubs, and even canoes with. This is a legend about the toa tree as told by the people of Mangaia. Now, at the village of Taparua, on Mangaia, there stood a huge toa tree which had been brought to Mangaia by some people from Tonga. This tree, the only one of its kind, on the island, was much admired by five brave young warriors, who thought that if their war weapons were made of this wonderfully strong timber they would be able to defeat every other warrior on the island. So one dark night when everyone else was. sleeping these five young men stole out of the village and up the slope to Where the huge tree was standing

solemnly against the night. Hour after hour they cut at the lour roots, and as the sun rose above the horizon the giant of Mangaia fell to the earth. Weary and stiff from their labours the five woodsmen turned homeward,. when suddenly they were attacked by a strange illness. They did not know what it was, but it was really the spirit of the tree puriishmg - them. Two of the party died r .and. when the three who were left turned to. look up the hill, they saw in fear and amazement that the tree, they had cut down with so much trouble was standing upright again. “Let us go back,” said Oarangi, the leader, and slowly they retraced their steps. The tree was-standing as it had been before, blit everywhere it was covered with red sap, which was issuing from the wound's in the trunk. As they started back in fear and trembling two of them died, and only Oarangi was left. Sadly he made his way back to the village and told bis people of the night’s strange happenings. Still not defeated, Oarangi gathered together another party and again set

out for the tree. As they drew near they were stricken with blindness, however, and Oarangi died. Thus the tree avenged itself on all the five who had ventured to kill it. The tree was regarded as an evil spirit by this time and was greatly feared by the people of Taparua. - Many discussions were held as to what-was to be done, but nothing was decided, upon. At last a young man, called Ono, who had come from Tonga and who had a toa club which possessed magical properties, came forward and said he would kill the evil spirit. All day long he cut away until the great tap root was severed. With a roar like thunder the evil spirit rose up from the earth, but Ono, with one blow of his axe, killed him instantaneously. The chips which flew from under Ono’s skilfully wielded axe flew all over the island, Where they sank deep into the earth, and after a while grew into toa trees like the one Ono had conquered. „ ; . —lioela Cunningham.