LEGEND OF HAUMAPUIA.

Poverty Bay Standard, Volume I, Issue 48, 24 January 1884, Page 3

LEGEND OF HAUMAPUIA.

frerrt jinUßvy 1,0 th.: Oub heroine’s father, after the disappearance of his daughter, succeeding din of elements, and stupendous vision from his solitary standpoint of the once insignificant creek enlarging in every direction, and finally at dawn assuming the present varied and imposing aspect and dimensions of Waikare Moana (Sea of Waikare), became conscious that she still lived, and consequently required food. Full of remorse, he plodded around the rockbound coast in search of aliment, but found none—neither vegetables on the stony shores, nor fish in the deep, unfathomable water. Only a tiny fish (kokopu) rewarded his quest, and this was wholly insufficient,' so, relinquishing his kainga and bis household goods, he proceeded to the coast, and at the mouth of the Wairoa River, interviewed the salt-water (conger) eels (ngoiro), and besought them to proceed to Waikare, expatiating on the necessities of his daughter; They consenting, crossed the bar in shoals; but. at first contact with the fresh water, were disgusted with its flavor, and returned to sea. Then Taua assembled the mud*esls (tuna) of the Wairoa River, and they acceded to his supplication, sculling away in great numbers in a westerly direction for the lake. But on arriving at the swiftflowing, rock-bedded Waiau, they could make no progress over the pebbly bottom, or headway against the rapid stream. They also returned to their congenial mud. Finally the disconsolate parent addressed himself to the lampreys (koro koro) of the Waiau, and, they acquiescing, with great effort attained Waikare Taiheke (Waikare Falls), where they remain to this day, near unto the lake, but unable to ascend the cascade. Notwithstanding, Haumapuia probably interviews them occasionally, as we hear no more of the legend, and her voice is still audible at times. (N.B. —“ Kokopus ” are the only fish in Lake Waikare, and lampreys are obtainable no where on the Coast but at Waikare Taiheke).

Introduction to Part 2. A wide expanse of mountain-bounded sea, Of wavelets, spangled here and there With star-light rayiets, few between and rare. Trembling, as though they did not dare The shadow of over-hanging lee. Now and again Orion's distant none. Unclouded, sheds its threefold lines of light™Parting the darkness, when again the night Returns resistless, and with double might Leaves murky Erebus to reign alone. And in such darkness seen, the mountain jaws Enolosing watery defiles, now appear Portals infernal; as it is said that drear Avernus yawns, with dissolution near And dread of Nature’s expiatory laws. But as in course of due recurring days, The first grey dawn succeeds the blackest night, So morbid fancies surely take to flight On first approach of Phoebus’ genial light, And dissipate before his welcome rays. Thus Taua standing childless and alone, Anger all mingled in deepest of regret, Thought he would try to help his darling yet, His darling with her hair of silky jet. For his unbridled anger to atone. Fytte No. 5. In a measure, and therefore at leisure He divested himself of his shoes, Again anachronistic, absurd as is the distich, He had no shoes to choose. But by way of substitute, He had a “ dacent” suit Of dog-skin adapted for the feet. Though no local son of Crispin, Would acknowledge he had fist in, Brogues so far remote from being neat. And the next thing he discarded Was his paake, very guarded— Must I be in further remark ?— Then he stood a chief mature, a In statu natura. Remember ’twas all but dark. Then with an invocation, Might have been an imprecation, As the weather was rather cold. All down among the boulders, He stooped his mighty shoulders, And snivelled, this warrior bold. For puha he sought, otherwise greens, And never a cabbage was there. A cauliflower now, or even beans,— But, lo I the rock was bare. And Tana looked up and then looked down Full little was to be seen• And then he contracted an ugly frown He felt so very green. Aha J said he, I will not be sold, There’s fish in the lake below, He chucked in a line, did Tana bold ; Behold it was no go. Fytte No. 6. Ancient philosophers all unite Sweet patience to glorify ; Did they ever fish long without a bite And a cold wind sweeping by, Sans breeks and luck, yes both without Tana stood in the wind, Tired quite, and quite worn out, And very cold behind. Quoth he, *• O, envious, sulky gods, This is a cruel do ; I’d rather inhabit all the ‘ quods,’ Including Gisborne, too, “ Than stand out here all in the cold, With ne’er a plug of Barrett’s; Barefooted, too, I’m getting old ; I would I were at Garrett's!”* ’Another anaohroniim—hoighojl Tann's to blame ■ not the narrator. ’ (To be continued.) Hospital, Jan. 12.