The Maori's Wool

Horowhenua Chronicle, 4 December 1913, Page 4

The Maori's Wool

Now, this is just a simple tale to tell the reader how They civilised the Maori tribe at Rooti-iti-au.

The Maoris are a mighty race— the finest over known; Before the missionaries came they Avorshipped wood ancl stone; They went to war and fought like fiends, and when the war was done

They pacified their conquered foes by eating every one. But nowadays about the pahs in idleness they lurk, •Prepared to smoke.or drink or talk —or anything but work. Around the hills their flocks of sheep are fed on tribal lands— A communistic ownership that no one understands. The richest tribe in all the North in sheep and horse and cow Were those who led their simple life at Rooti-iti-au.

Twas down to town at Wellington a, noble Maori came. A Rangatira of the best, Rerenga was his name— (The word Rerenga means a snag —but until he was gone This didn't strike the folk he met —it struck them later on), lie stalked into the bank they eultlie "Great financial Hell," And told the Chief financial Fiend the tribe had wool to sell. The Bold Bank Manager looked grave—the price of wool was high. He said: "We'll lend you what i you need—we're not disposed to buy. You ship the wool to England, Chief- You'l find it's good advice. And meanwhile you can draw from us the local market price.'"' The Chief he thanked him cour- | teously, and said he wished ( to state in all the liootiriti tribe his nuuni would be great, But still their tribes were simple folk who' might not understand This strange financial jugglery which gave them cash in hand Before the wool was sold at all; and even after sale Perhaps they mightn't get the price—the notion turned liim pale! And so he started home again, with, trouble on his brow, To lay the case before the tribe I at Rooti-iti-au. [ They held a. korero next day in Rooti-iti clan, "With speeches lasting half a day from every leading , man. ■They called themselves poetic names—"lost children in a wood"; They said the Great Bank Manager was "Kapai"—extra good! And so they sent Rerenga down, full powered suicl well-equip-ped, . To draw as much as he could get, and let the wo»d1 be sliipped, And wedged into a "Cargo Tank" full up from stern to bowA mighty clip of wool went Home from Rooti-iti-au. I

It was the Bold Bank Manager who drew a "heavy cheque ; Rerenga cashed it thoughtfully, then clasped, him round the neck. A hug from him was not at all a thing you'd call a lark: You see he lived on mutton birds and dried remains of shark. But still it showed his gratitude, and, as he pouched the pelf, "Nl-'haka , for yem, sir," he said. "In honour of yourself!" The "haka" is a striking dance--ihe sort they don't allow In any place more civilised than liooli-iti-au. .Hβ "haka'd" most effectivelythen, with an airy grace Rubbed noses with the Manage] , , and vauisihed into space. Bui when the ivool return came back,, ah, ine, what sighs and groans! For every bale of Maori wool was loaded up with stones! Yes—thumping great New Zea. land rocks among the wool they found; On every rook the BanlcHad lent just sevempenee a pound, iiid now the Bold Bank Manager, with tronble on his "Brow, h searching; vainly for the chief from Biooti-iti-au. —Christchtircli Star. >g«—MM—B—

NOVEMBER.