ROTORUA GUIDES

Rotorua Morning Post, Volume 1, Issue 27, 24 September 1931, Page 5

ROTORUA GUIDES

NOTES BY "TREFOIL." Pear Guides. — You had good holidays, didn't you? , I heard about . your two hikes; how you had a beautiful day to climb Ngongotaha; aud how tired some of the smaller ones were. But it was worth it, wasn't it? The view from Ngongotaha on a clear day is a wonderful one. The Kawaha hike was enjoyable too, in spite of the showers. And your thanks are due to Mr. Johnstone again for his kindness. Your query about the kakahi shells embedded in the bank high above the lake reminds me of a little tale I sketched out one day telling the adventures of a kakahi Here it is: — Long years ago, when I was a beautiful kakahi, and not a poor old shell as you see me now, I lived with my parents near the shores of Mokoia Island in Lake Rotorua. At first we were a thickly populated colony, making myxiads of trails and cross trails on our lake bed habitation. As time went on, I would notice the disappearance of large numbers of relatives and would wonder where they had gone; but still would not be curious enough to inquire. I was young then, and did not know. Now I know only too well that they went to make a delicious meal for some Maori family living on the island. Growing older, I wished to see the great world that lay to the north of Mokoia ; so one morning, together with some of my more adyenturous playmates, I set off. Keeping a sharp watch for the taniwha "Pekehaua," who dwelt at Awahou, and who, we had been told, was fond of a kakahi breakfast, we trailed slowly onwards. Suddenly we heard a great splashing and chattering, by which we guessed we were nearing a beach. We saw our cousins the koura, making their way hurriedly under some rocks. "What is it, koura; why do you hide?" we wanted to know. "Those tamariki/' they shivered. "They are after us; many of our brothers have they caught and eaten this morning." Beeoming alarmed, we too, crawled under some rocks; but the little brown tamariki were evidently no longer hungry, as we were left quite undisturbed. The sound of thpir play and laughter brought us out to watch the fun. And what fun they had to be sure; diving and turning somersaults in the water. Presently we became aware of the musical voices of two little girls who were sunning themselves on a rock near by. One, Hinerangi, was telling her friend Rato all about some maiden named Hinemoa swimming from Owhata to Mokoia to her lover Tutanekai. The happening discussed by them had taken place a few days before, and it was evidently the common topic in all the pas and kaingas. These two little girls were thrilled with the story, as they had only just returned from a visit to Mokoia, and while there, they had seen and greatly admired the handsome Tutanekai. They went on to speak of a forthcoming hui at their pa; and how large numbers of people were expected from Maketu and other coastal villages. They licked their lips when mentioning the feasts in view. They spoke of piko piko, of kereru preserved in their own fat, of koura, and, did I hear aright, of kakahi. They wondered if the coast people would bring with them some dried pioke (shark) and pipis. They wondered, too, if there would be among the visitors any girls of their own age, who could wield the pois more gracefully than they. The days went swiftly by, my companions and I liking our new quarters very well. Till one day rough hands gathered us into a huge kjt made of flax and we knew that we must be needed for the hui, and that our hours were numbered. The old Maori woman set her kit on the ground, and along came a young rascal of a boy, who, dipping his -hand in ,grabbed a few of us and sped away at top speed to enjoy a stolen feast. Clambering up a steep path and round a corner, he paused to take breath, and here I managed to slip out of his hand and lie unnoticed on the ground. Hearing some noise in the bushes not far away, the boy lost no time in making himself scarce. So here I have lain ever since. Although on account of exposure to rain, wind and sunshine, I am but a shadow of my former self, I have enjoyed the years; and I have seen many ehanges. Chief among these, is this handwork of the pakeha, a motor road which was once the bush track of the Maori.