TE KANIAKIRAU.

Maori Messenger : Te Karere Maori, Volume II, Issue 8, 30 August 1856, Page 8

TE KANIAKIRAU.

Grandson of Hinematioro.

There are, we think, very few of our Native readers who have not heard the name, and most are acquainted with the history, of of the great Chief Te Kaniatakirau. But he too, like many uf high standing and fume, has passed away, and his mortal remains are now interred beside those of his celebrated

ancestress, Hinematioro, on the rocfcy islet of Whangara. In that spot how many of his ancestry have from time to time been laid; men distinguished Tor bravery and physical prowess, or for the exercise of hospitality, eloquence, and other good "qualities which elicited the admiration of their contemporaries. They for the most part fell on the field of battle, mid the din of arms, bravely fighting for their liberties and homes; or at the close of an eventful life -laid their hoary heads on the pillow of deaili, •and succumbed to the irresistible laws of nature.# But he whose privileges were so immeasurablygreater than theirs—who, with the vast influence he possessed over his countrymen, and the prestige of his own great name and that of his fathers, might j have been an instrument of almost incalculable benefit lo his people—fell a victim to intemperance. This degrading vice wliile it stupjfies the mind and deadens the susceptibilities of their nature, is no less daßgerous in the lavages it commits upon the bodies t)f the unhappy individuals who yield lo its, allurements; who, losing atouce their own! self respect, and the esteem of their companions, sink into an early grave. i *Atomt eighty years stocfoi\s sfolfal nnd adventurous Captawif ® t the shores of New Zealand ; but when he attempted to land at Turanganui, in Poverty Bay, he was attacked by a band of warriors, 'Who rejected his overtures of peace and compelled him lo return to his ship. HopeJess of being able to establish peaceful relations with this people, he sailed Northwards to Tolaga Bay, where he was received with every mark of friendship and hospitality by Te Amaru the principal Chief of that part of the country, and the father of Te Kaniatakirau. This kindly feeling towards Europeans, and hospitality to all comers was a leading feature in Te Kani's character.

i Te Kaniatakirau was the principal Chief of the District lying between Cape Whangaparaoa to the North, and Table Cape to ihe South. Though his authority was sometimes disputed in the more remote parts of his territory, and bloody conflicts took place between the various tribes, his person was held inviolably sacred by all; and when on liiore than one occasion he was captured by bis opponents, he was Invariably treated with the respect due to his rank. Once when quite a youth his followers were completely routed, and fled in wild disorder. The enemy thirsting for blood, and eager to revenge lie death of their companions who had fall-

en in ihe strife, pressed hard in pursuit; and guided by the foot prints of the retreating and discomfited warriors followed them into the woods and mountain fastnesses. Signs, unmistakeable to the practised eyes of experienced meg showed that one at least of the retiring party was fatigued, and unable to keep pace with his more enduring companions. Ere long they espied the object of their search, and we may imagine their surprise, and perhaps disappointment, when they found it was Te Kaniaiakirau; who, trusting to his rank, or impelled by that frank courage he often displayed in after life, turned and boldly confronted them. None of that eager band dared to hurl his spear, or strike the captive chieftain; but closing around him, they escorted him to their leaders by whom be was speedily set free. * He was not however, always so fortunate as to contend with those by whom he was known and respected. A large party of the Ngatimamapoto under the command of Tukorphn. a Chief of acknowledged bravery, and a number of Ngapuhi led bv Te Wera. crossed the country by way of tfaupo ana made an inroad upon'the territories of the Rongowhakaata. The Chiefs of Taranga having received intelligence of their approach, assembled their warriors, and being reinforced by the Ngatikahungunu prepared to repulse their aggressors. The contending parlies met on the banks of the Turanga river, where a bloody conflict took place, which resulted in the total defeat of the Rongowhakaata. Taraao, Tamaitipoki, and famaitohatohaia the three elder brothers of Te Kani were killed* and he narrowly escaped with his life by jumping into a small canoe and paddling down the river to bis own pa. One valuable Mere was taken on this occasion which was named by its captors alter the son of Tukorehu who fell in the struggle for it. • Like many other Chiefs of high rank, Te Kani lived in the practice of polygamy; and, at one time* kept no less than ten wives. By these he bad several children, all of whom died in infancy with the exception of one son by his principal wife. He, however, was ever of a weak and sickly constitution ; and in every way unlike his manly and handsome father. His death, which occurred when he was about eighteen years of age, cast a gloom over Te Kani's mind which time failed to remove; and when after every, and unusual, arrangements had been made for interring the corpse with ail the solemnity and display which Maori art and ingenuity

could contrive or effect, and the form of bis beloved son was removed from his sight, force was resorted to lo prevent his terminating his own existence* $Te Kani being anxious for a successor to his rank and possessions took to wife the daughter of a Chief of his own tribe, who had been married a few months previously but separated from her husband. The friends of the latter immediately on hearing this sent threatening and insulting messages to their Chief, and expressed their determination to seek satisfaction for the affront. The Uawa river alone intervened between the pas of the belligerents, and every preparation was made for war. Te Kani visi ted in person the villages to the south of Tolaga to recruit his army, while the Nguiiwhaltamnra sent messengers northwards to collect their friends. In vain the Missionary interposed and used all his influence to allay their excitement, and settle the matter by arbitration. At length the day on which the attack on the Ngatiwbakamara was to be made drew near; for true to bis chiefly and chivalrous qualities he scorned to take advantage of an unprepared foe, and gave ihem time to fortify and provision their pa. The evening before was spent as usual by the contending parties; some vaunting of iheir courage and the deeds of daring they would perform on the morrow: others bidding farewell to the light of day, their relatives and friends; —while startling and loud, ever and anon the cry of the sentinel broke upon the ear. The short summer night was passing swiftly away, and dawn was drawing near, when the Missionary received a message from Te Kani that if the Ngatiwbakamara would consent to leave their pa and retire to some distance, he would allow them to do so unmolested. This unexp ;cted proposal they gladly availed themselves of, and soon after day light a long and somewhat subdued band of warriors issued from their pa, laden with their property, and retired to the Karaka; Te Kani unwilling to lacerate the wounded pride of his rebellious people retired himself from his pa, and never occupied it again. In person Ts Kaniatakirau was tall and commanding; his countenance open and intelligent, and his face fully tattooed. He was always attired in European clothing, except on state occasions, when he wore the dress of a Maori chieftain. He possessed a number of fine horses, one of which, his favourite steed, be presented to Mr. McLean oil ilie occasion of that gentleman's first in-

lerview with him. Strongly averse to begging in any shape, be liberally rewarded any one who made him a trifling present; and in order to check the rudeness of his people would rarely enter or partake of a meal in the houses of the European settlers. Ills kindness was almost proverbial, and the writer of this article has on more than one occasion known him not only to feed and clothe European travellers,. but even mend wiih bis own hands their wayworn and tattered garments. European travellers have lost one of their best friends, on the East Coast. He was most attentive to all theii wants and requirements, and scrupulously careful that none of his people shonld demand anything from them when visiting his place. On one occasion he discovered that a pocket knife had been stolen by one of bfs slaves, or unintentionally left behind by a traveller at his pa; this he carefully preserved untir he found an opportunity of restoring it to its owner. lie frequently interposed to prevent Europeans from being robbed or ill treated; aud was truly a most unostentatious Chief, his good acts, unlike those of many of his countrymen, being proffered without any expectation of recompense or reward. Among the tribes over whom he possessed any influence he strenuously exerted himself to prevent feuds and quarrels; and his name will long be remembered as the promoter of peace, and an hospitable friend to all who knew him. Of the circumstances attending his death wo know but little. He died at Wbangara, his favourite residence; and was mourned over by a large body of his countrvnien. His death will be deeply regretted by all his acquaintances; while many to whom be was personally unknown, have oft times heard his far famed name, of his. generous qualities, and that he was by rank and descent ©ne of New Zealand's greatest chieftains.