THE SHANNON MAORIS

Chronicle (Levin), 15 March 1946, Page 3

THE SHANNON MAORIS

(Part 2) In the year 1869 at a. meeting called for the purpose by Bishop Hadfield, it was decided to build a chtirch-house at Moutoa. It is related that after the decision to build the church, one of the old folks dreamed of seeing two large totara trees standing majestically near the Manawatu *&iver in Rangiotu. With the assistance of the Rangitane people, the two trees were cut and floated down the river to its present site, where it i was built under the supervision of Bishop Hadfield. The Rev. Henere, grandfather of Mr. Taite te Tomo, who died a few years ago in Kakariki, was the, first minister. In the pre-European days a remarkable feature in Maori life was the fact that some form of ritual, some ceremony pertained to everv industry, "to agriculture, war,

house-building, etc. The Maori could do little without relying on his gods for help and protection. As war was an important institution in the early life of the Maori, all able-bodied men were liable for military duty when the necessity arose. The Whakatere tribe, as energetic fighters much given to employing stratagem and deeoy manoeuvres, were very successful as a war party. So successful were they in combats that other tribes believed in some mythical being or war-god blessing them with assistance. Many tribes saught their assistance to avenge some insult or other wrong. In those days with no mode or form of the written language, proud deeds of war, etc., were nreserved through the arts of story-telling. 'One of the proud deeds of the Whakatere tribe is as follows: "After Wairangi had struck his wife for not preparing his dinner in a proper manner, she fled to her father and her people who lived in Te Aroha. Poutu, son of Wairangi and chief of the Whakatere tribe, with Wairangi and a- small party, unaware of any trouble that awaited them, made the journey to Te Aroha to bring her back. On their arrival they 'found a large gathering awaiting them. During the early part of the night that followed, Toengakiri, the youngest son of Poutu, who on arrival had immediately disguised himself as a member of that tribe, informed his father of a plot and of the huge preparation of a hangi that was taking place for their slaughter in avenge of the insult accorded the wife of Wairangi and in consequence an insult to the tribe also. Poutu, for the rest of the night was much given to conceiving some Statagem oLescape. In the morning with ratus hidden in the waist bands of their piupius, they performed the haka inside the meet-ing-house in which they were gathered, and generally made their way to the marae in front. The rhythmical movements of limbs and body, the distortion of the features, and the excellent sense of time displayed, and the manner in which they protuded their tongues and turned their eyes in fierce glare, surprised the home-folks. They gathered near to -witness a spectacle of marvellous wonder, and as the performance neared the end, the performers drew forth their hidden ratus with rhythmical action, and' had no difficulty in slaughtering the much confused members of that tribe who had gathered, and who by their eagerness to witness such a spectacle of wonder, had forgotten to equip themselves with the necessary weapons that are usually employed in times of war and fell into a well laid trap." The first pa was built in 1876 on the north-west side of the Manawatu River. After a heavy day's work, the native builders would spend their evenings in the arts of story-telling, singing and dancing, pastimes which were the cause of much social enjoyment. As great stress was laid by the old folks on the desirable effects of physical exercises, lads were encouraggd to practice games calling for exercise of agility and dexterity. Of games introduced by Europeans they readily took to%football, tennis and hockey. The Whakatere tribe have been

recognised far and wide as great performers of the haka. In 1929 they won the New Zealand Hal?a Championship Shield held in Shannon, and in 1931"won the New Zealand Haka Challenge Cup in Wanganui, defeating six other teams. In 1889, a Maori sports ' club was formed. As some of the principal events were horse racing, a mile track was laid down near the pa. Successful meetings were continually held for eighteen years. Co.mpetitors came from as far as Auckland and Rotorua. These meetings were very popular. The ' officials were: Rauhihi Tupotaki (chairman), Te Iwiata Arapere, Te Whata, Wi Kohika, Ropoama Arapere, Hihira Moroati, Matenga, Peni Matenga, J. Puti, Whiti, Taite te Tomo, Mark Downes, Raiha Tapuae (treasurer) and Hurunui (secretary). The mighty hand of death has struck down the genial comrades of yore. They have traversed the Broad Path of Tane to the realm of Rarohenga, and now rest in the body of the Earth Mother.