REMINISCENCES OF AN OLD COLONIST.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XXIX, Issue 3762, 2 April 1907, Page 3

REMINISCENCES OF AN OLD COLONIST.

(By Mr Thos. Bevan, Sen., In Otari ■ Mail. In the year 1850, my brother George and I carried on rope making works on the banks of the Manawatu river at Qtauru, near Poroutawhao. We leased laud from Te Whatanui, of Ngatiraukawa', the man who saved the Muaupoko people from utter extermination, and carried on an extensive trade with Te Rangihaeata and his numerous tribe at Poroutawhao. We also bought flax and other produce from them. There was at the time a large pa near our house, and many natives living with Te Whatanui and Te Pakake, of Ngatiraukawa. Messrs H. and C. Symonds were then living at Ngatbtara, leasing a large cattle run from the Ngatihuia , Of Poroutawhao.

At that time there was a most beautiful forest at Ngatotara, abounding with native pigeons, kakas, and other native birds. The natives in those days were adepts in the various arts of catching these birds, spearing and trapping them for food, and in these pursuits they always observed certain forms and ceremonies. Cunningly-devised traps, and very long, barb-tipped spears were used in the forest sports of those days,, but these sports are to be seen no more. The kaikomako was a favourite tree among the Maoris in the “good old days,” and a most important tree it was, being used for obtaining fire by means of friction, before the advent of the pakeha with his flint and steel, and, later on, the phosphorous match.

I well remember a strange expedition, organised by the Ngatiwhakatere, of Manawatu, in 1852. These natives received a copy of the Maori edition of the everpopularbook “ Robinson Crusoe,” after reading which their imaginations were so fired that they felt convinced that an old wanderer was located on an island situated in the headwaters of the Manawatu river, and had been there for some centuries. They proceeded to explore the island in question, but, needless to say, their quest was fruitless.

When I was among the Maoris in 1845 I noticed a large tree fort used by the Muaupoko tribe. This fort had seen much active service before the invasion of the Ngatitoa and Ngatiraukawa tribes, and when Te Ateawa, the country between Paekakariki and Manawatu, was wholly occupied by the Muaupoko. One of their tribe’s settlements was on the Whakahoro clearing, by the Waikawa river, a short distance from the present township of Manakau. The Muaupokos were frequently harassed by the war paities of Ngatiapa and other tribes, and even by. the Ngatikahungunus, of Wairarapa, who reached this coast by the trail across the Tararua ranges. As a means of defence, and to ensure the safety of their women and children, the Muaupokos, of Whakahoro, constructed a tree fort in the tops of three immense kahikatea (white pine) trees, situated on the northern side of the clearing. Beams were laid from fork to fork of the trees, and upon these was laid a platform, on which the houses were erected. A fence encircled the whole stage, and stores of food, water, etc. were always kept in this elevated pa. Heaps of stones were also piled up on the platform, which were hurled down on the enemies when they approached the trees. On the advance of a war party, the Muaupokos retreated to their fort, and pulled up their ladders alter them, and as the platform was fully fifty feet from the ground, the besieged could well defy the enemies so long as their supply of food and water held out, as the rifle was an unknown weapon in those days. When, however, Te Rauparaha arrived in the district, bringing firearms with him, the days of the tree forts were numbered. The children of Kupe could at once see that their position was untenable, and, sooner than be shot in their forts, like birds, they fled. Stories in connection with old forts are still related by the old people of the Ngatiwehiwehi hapu of Ngatiraukawa.

Most careful was the ancient Maori in preserving the history and sacred knowledge of his tribe, and woe betide the man who betrayed the tribe, or made a wrong use of the knowledge he possessed. The life of those [primitive people was, on the whole, a happy one. With the exception of the times when they were harassed by a superior tribe, they enjoyed the life after their kind. Each season of the year, and portion of each day held its own special task for the ancient Maori. The women performed the household duties, such as cooking, keeping the houses in order, making sleeping mats and others of finer texture used as garments. They also accompanied the men to the cultivations, where they cooked the first meal of the day, and also assisted in the labour of the field. The whole party returned to the kainga about three in the afternoon, when preparations would be made for the second and concluding meal of the day. The men had many duties to perform— cultivating their food products, gathering the crops, building dwelling and store houses, making canoes, fishing, hunting, making nets and cordage, carving, and grinding by friction to form weapons and implements of stone. Food was plentiful in the land of the taro, and no famine visited the land so long as peace prevailed. The long winter evenings were beguiled by the recounting 0 i

weird tales, and the chanting of numberless poems. The rehearsal of hakas, and indulgence in many forms of games also helped to pass many a weary hour.