AN AMIABLE OUTLAW

Evening Star, Issue 19786, 9 February 1928, Page 14

AN AMIABLE OUTLAW

tamati and civilisation A MAORI STORY. When civilisation came to Manuroa it was rather hard on Tamati (writes “E.5.H.,” in the ‘Manchester Guardian’). There was nothing in his career to prepare him for it. It began with a survey party with an evil eye on a tripod busy spying out the land for a new railway. With goodnatured persistence the surveyors disregarded the Maoris’ warning that if they crossed the river with the fatal tiling they would be shot. Twice they forded the stream with their flags, stakes, slash-hooks, and theodolite, and were gently but firmly sent back to the other side. The third time a Martini-Henry bullet in the heart of the chief surveyor proved that the tribe was as good as its word. No one knew who fired the shot, nor was Tamati blamed, even indirectly. The incident is quoted merely as showing the state of public opinion at the begin ning of this chronicle. Of course, the survey was completed. The railway reached Manuroa, and eventually passed beyond. The police remained. So did an elongated corrugated iron township which clung to the fine and grew with ungainly rapidity. Whisky came surreptitiously, and remained in spile of the ordinances of a paternal Government. Tamati and the others rapidly acquired a taste for this costly water that tastes bad but feels (yoocl. They soon learned that half a bottle plus' water and spirits of wine could be sold for the price of a full one, preferably to someone already feeling the beneficial effects of former, potations. Tamati discovered also that money could be made in Mick Fahey’s saloon at snooker pool, provided that he was sufficiently modest beforehand regarding his unexpected aptitude loi this amusing pastime. In about scycu years the settlement, which owed its birth to a. sheltered catioo landing at the junction of two rivers, became a second “Main street,’’ although the musical Maori name of Manuroa. was retained. . And with Main street came respectability, but a little too fast for Tamati, who did not find it half such fun as pool and whisky. It brought him, however, more of those useful tokens called money. His English father in the early days 'had preferred the hospitality of this little-known tribe to _ the all 100 well-known discipline of _his ship. He deserted and lied to tlm interior, where not only tva-s he received with the usual generous hospitality of the Maori, but also ho had the good fortune to be chosen in marriage by a chieftain’s daughter. When the Native Laud Court permitted the sale of certain of his holdings his numerous family became passing rich—all too rapidly passing.

Tamati bought a car. iius glittering toy in duo course became the property of his creditors. Tamati borrowed it back, but, striking a culvert in his haste, turned very much turtle. Ho was unhurt, hut the car required some revision before it was again able to venture forth on the embryo roads of the district. As a result, of tho subsequent court proceedings the car, for Tamati, lost its glitter. Very soon Manuroa began to stiller from iill the dignity of a newly-created borough. The traders were a nuisance to Tamati. They apparently did not realise that he intended to pay them some day, but that in tho_ meantime he had many mure interesting outlets for his money than in paying the grocers for tinned fish already eaten. Of course, ho discovered that there was a, catch in this, too. In fact, lie almost began to wonder whether the police, tho magistrate, and the. lawyer were not singling him out to harass him. One day by chancj ho came across both the solicitor and ihe_ constable fishing at one of the river’s danger spots. They were at the end of a long spit, where the lorec of the current prevented them trom getting back upstream. Deep water at either side cut them from tho banks, and their heavy brogues and waders made swimming impossible. Ignoring the opportunity for icvenge, Tamati threw off his clothes, seized a dug-out canoe, and, having no oars, swam out to where they were marooned, towing the heavy canoe behind him. Braced against tho rushing water, be held it until they scrambled in, and then, the muscles of his magnificent shoulders rippling and swelling, gradually hauled them back to safety, although the current _at times reached almost to his armpits. Even the sturdy policeman was astounded at such a teat of strength. Then the three became more or less friends. Tamati amiably did his best oven to understand the game laws which forbade all the most sensible ways of catching fish. The law would not allow the native pigeon to be killed at all, which was manifestly absurd. Nothing could be easier game. At night they sat all together on a branch, fast asleep, and their necks could be wrung one after another without any difficulty whatever. A coating of clay, a hole in the ground, hot stones, glowing embers, a covering of loaves and earth, and what dish could bo more appetising? He had no intention of keeping such laws as these, though he now knew better than to advertise the fact. He was too afraid of tho dour Scottish doctor and his touch of the evil eye, oven though he had reset Tamati’s collarbone for nim after an unsuccessful attempt to hurdle tho full-back during a football match. The doctor was the big chief of the acclimatisation society that occupied itself with such things as tho mortality among trout and pigeons . Thus it happened that a Inend of Tamati’s came one day to the solicitor and complained that Tamati was seriously ill," and refused to send for the doctor. Ha had a pigeon hone stuck in his throat, and was quite convinced that the doctor would have him incarcerated in consequence. He therefore pinned his faith on Bioko, his elder brother, who, being a tohunga, or native priest, was in possession of some useful charms. But, as the friend pointed out, the incantations were not having the desired effect. He therefore suggested that a more satisfactory procedure .would be to threaten Tamati with prison unless ho called in the doctor immediately. Secure in the promise that no awkward questions would be asked as to the nature of tho bone, Tamati was removed immediately to the hospital. The operation ended prematurely, because Tamati passed ov«r to the dwelling place of his ancestors, Bioko felt himself vindicated.

Bioko took charge of the obsequies unopposed. He grandiloquently permitted the ornate coffin from _ the mayor’s workshop. At his orders Airini, Tamati’s sister, handed over without a murmur tho potatoes, kumaras, and other vegetables; the_ dried shark, the crayfish, mussels, pipis, and other sea foorl: tlie wild pigs, tho eels, the calf, and the rest of the provehileiy that she had got together for her wedding feast, and they were used at the lar ntations for Tamati. Fellow tribesmen i ne hastily from afar, rubbed noses in salutation, and joined the mourners sobbi”~ and wailing. For many days and nights the ululation continued, and much of the “water that tastes bad” was consumed. Eventually Tamati was laid to rest.