HISTORIC GREENSTONE.

Dominion, Volume 5, Issue 1516, 12 August 1912, Page 4

HISTORIC GREENSTONE.

OF TB RAUPARAHA'S DAY, (By Telegraph.—Special Correspondent.) Auckland, August 11. Several interesting additions to tho Maori collections at the Auckland Museum have just been lodged at that institution by Mr. Arthur Eady. Among them aro two greenstone meres, tho history of one of which is known for a period of four generations, the last Maori holder being tho chioftainess Apikera, who lived at Hicks Bay, East Cape district. There are also three greenstone tikis, one of which, bearing tho Maori name of Maungarongo, or "The Peacemaker," has a decidedly interesting history. According to tho legend it,belonged to Rangi Purewa, a tohunga who lived in the Wairiro Valley, near Blenheim, mid was also handled by tho chief, To Rauparaha, who was the principal actor iu tho tragedy of the Wairau massacre. ' To Rauparaha quarrelled with Pukekohatul and took one of tho latter's relatives prisoner. Pukokohatu applied to Rangi Purewa for advice as to how.he should get back his. relative before lie was killed, and the old prophet said: "Here is a tiki that will make peace. Put it round the neck of your wife's slave girl and offer both as payment and your wish that your relative should bo restored will be granted." Pukckohatu acted as the tohunga advised, and his relative was restored to him unharmed. Shortly afterwards, one of To Raupnraha's relatives fell ill, and Hangi Purewa was accused of bewitching Mm. Tho tohunga, however, said that, the illness was caused through the relative wearing the tiki, which, not having been worn by anyone but Purewa, was sacred. If it was brought back to. him he would remove the tapu. Tins was done, and the tiki was returned to To Rauparaha, whoso relative quickly recovered. The tiki, then, passed through .nany hands and ulHmitely became the property of Te Kooti who had it all through the fearful Poverty Bay massacre. From Te Kooti the valuable piece' of I'.rcenstone passed into European hands, and may now bo seen at the museum.