DISCOVERY OF AN UNKNOWN TRIBE.

Hawke's Bay Times, Volume II, Issue 46, 15 May 1862, Page 6 (Supplement)

DISCOVERY OF AN UNKNOWN TRIBE.

To the Editor of the Wanganui Chronicle. Putiki, April li), ISG2. £>ni, 1 lie natives of this place, who have just returned from Pipiriki (whore they went to meet a party of the Ngatipikiao from the East Coast), have brought back a very strange story of the discovery of an unknown tribe, living in a district which was supposed to be nothing but mountains, lying to the west of ITikurangi, and between that lofty mountain and Lake Taupe, which is a very extensive region in the widest part of (he island. Hhe Bishop of Waipoi was journeying in that portion of his diocese, and when passing along one side of a deep chasm he saw a woman with a child sitting under a fern tree on the opposite side, and several men among the precipices. On arriving at the nearest village, he enquired if there were any people living among the mountains. They Said ‘ no but finding that they had some idea that there were natives there, lie determined to explore this unknown region, and making up a party, with a good supply of food, he started on Ids journey. \\ ith great difficulty they succeeded in ascending the first range of mountains, and then a second and a third ; when, their food beginning to fail, his companions wanted to return, fearing lest they should bo starved to death. The Bishop urged them to proceed, and to encourage them, he divided his remaining stock of biscuit amongst them, and pointed out a kareao, which had evidently been bitten in two by the teeth. Afterwards they emerged from the mountains, and came to a fine open country. As they proceeded they noticed a place which had apparently been cleared by fire, and shortly afterwards they saw some distinct loot marks—then they came upon several tracks. Selecting one which seemed to have been recently used, they soon came to a cultivation, and then to a well beaten path, which they followed until it brought them to a large pah which appeared to bo deserted, 'fhc houses were built on each side of the road, and were well made. There were several ivati ioka.s beautifully ornamented vv ith carving. Some of the party bad the curiosity to peep into one of these food stores, which he found filled with dried eels, mangas, calabashes of potted birds, and largo quantities of a new kind of tern root, much larger and finer than any they' had ever seen. The natives were tempted to help themselves to some of these dainties, but the Bishop would not permit them to lake anything. Hitherto they had seen none of the inhabitants ; and they began to bo afraid. The Bishop went first along the road which ran through the pah, and when they had got at some distance beyond it. they saw a numbsr of natives sitting by the u ay-side. On aproaching them, they were not welcomed by the usual salutation— haere mai! hacre mai! but with the exclamation — he atual he atua ! “ these are gods ! these are gods!” The Bishop went up to them, and said they were not gods, but only Maories like themselves, that he alone belonged to another race, showing (hem that the color of his skin was different, lie then enquired winch was their head chief. The person ho addressed replied that lie was. Ho next demanded how many' of them were chiefs. The same person pointed out each, saying “This is is a chief, this is a chief.” The Bishop inquired of their origin, and how and when they came there. The head chief said they originally came to the country in the Eaki tit mu (one of the original canoes), and had lived there ever since—that they were not aware of there being any other natives* beside themselves in the island. He next enquired about tiicir number, and was told there were several large pahs of them. Then he demanded what wind of food they had. They produced some of the new species of fern root, which they said they cultivated, breaking off the smaller ends as sets, planting them in the fourth month, and in tho autumn they gathered in their crop for winter use. Tney then asked in reply what was their food. Tho Bishop showed them a potato, which excited their astonishment; he divided those that remained amongst them, giving two to each chief. They inquired liow it was to be raised. lie pointed to the eyes, and said they must be so cut that each piece must contain oiic or more eves. They asked

how they were to be cut. He said with a knife, and producing one, lie gave it to the head chief. They inquired the proper time for planting, and were told it was also in the fourth month. Then they asked him which was the most suitable place. Ho told them that they should clear the forest ground, and plant the potatoes there- They wanted to know how they were to clear the trees away. The Bishop answered “with a hatchet,” and threw one down before the head chief. They then brought out a largo heap of cooked food, which formed a pile more than a yard high. The Bishop took some of this new species of fern root, which he tasted, and pronounced it to be very good ; it appears from the description to be a kind of yam. It seemed to be the only cultivated food they were acquainted with, for they are without the kumera, taro , and hue. The Bishop then had prayers. They were most attentive, kneeling down and imitating his followers in 1 11 they did,. The Bishop is said to have made a long stay, teaching them their letters before he left. Such is the substance of the account given me, which if really true, is of the deepest interest. It seems wonderful that a party of natives could thus become isolated from the rest of their countrymen, and remain so for so many generations still maintaining the same language, manners and customs, for they also tattooed their persons, built their houses, and ornamented them with similar carving, manufactured similar garments of flax, and presented a close resemblance to the rest of their race. At present, however, this is only a native report, and requires confirmation, stiil, even as such, I think you will deem it worthy of being recorded in the pages of the Chronicle. I am, &c., RICHARD TAYLOR.