THE KING OF THE MAORI GOBLINS.

Taranaki Daily News, 15 December 1922, Page 8 (Supplement)

THE KING OF THE MAORI GOBLINS.

A CURIOUS EXPERIENCE. IN THE STONY RIVER. The heat was intense and the shimmer off the stones in the river-bed was plainly discernible. The only other movement was that of an energetic fantail who pirouetted over the still pool and took an aerial lunch from the gnats and flies soaring over the water. Ail was still, and it was futile to throw a fly in the hope of getting a rise. Trout, lusty, mottled fellows, were showing in the slack end of the pool, but they were lying on the stones at the bottom and seemed to have fallen into the somnolent condition that accorded with all nature in the vicinity. It had been hard going working the rapids during the forenoon angling, and now, after a solid “tuck-in,” with a “bottle of the best” (cold tea?) to top it off, I fell into a reverie. The situation was one offering absolute isolation from the haunts of man, far up in the top gorges of the ravine down which the Stony River pours her torrent straight from the snowfields of hoary Egmont’s peak. All around was a jumble of boulders of every size, pitched into all sorts of positions by the mighty floods that tear down this torrent-bed during the storms. On the opposite side of the stream was a bold, high cliff, and situated about 40 ft. up was a huge stone embedded in the strata. Just under the stone was a small opening which suggested the entrance to some subterranean cavern. It was while gazing into the dark entrance of the tunnel that I became aware of what seemed to be a waft of blue-colored smoke. My eyes became rivetted to the spot, and out from the’ entrance stepped the most gro-. tesque looking creature that I have ever gazed upon. It was a gnome, or goblin, no old-world spook, but a real New Zealand production. That fact was impressed upon me at a glance because of the magnificent tattooing that covered its face from chin to forehead. In height the creature was about two feet four. Around its body it wore a beautiful piupiu (Maori mat), made from the feathers of the moa. In its right hand it carried a long carved taiaha (Maori spear), while stuck in its girdle was a handsome and businesslike mere pounamu (war club of greenstone). Although very ancient-looking its eyes were alert and piercing, and in a second had descried me as I reposed on the opposite bank. Hopping up on to the pinnacle of the projecting boulder, the goblin balanced himself for a second, then with a flip of its body turned several somersaults, landing across the stream and on to a boulder by my side. I was amazed and startled beyond power of speech or movement, and expected to find myself scalped or beheaded in the next second. But the goblin seemed friendly, and after smiling at me, turned another flip, which landed him in front of me, where he proceeded to welcome me with the hongi (rubbing noses) and chanting a waiata (song of welcome). By this time I felt more at ease, and the goblin, like a flash of light, sprang up and with wondrous ease leaped on to the summit of a boulder, full 20 feet high. Here he uttered some incantations and proceeded to address me as under: “Greetings! O mortal! Long have I expected thy visit. Many moons have passed since I, Toi, the Chief of the Maori goblins, foretold of thy coming to greet the Maori fishermen, and also to witness many strange scenes. Be not fearful for thyself. My mana (prestige) is all-power-ful, and thou art tapu (sacred) to all my folk.” This and other korero (talk) was clearly of so friendly a character that my wits returned, and I awaited with wonder the next move of my queer acquaintance. In a second more Toi was at my side, and seizing the leather belt around my waist, shot up into the air with me, and before I could gasp out that I would rather be excused, deposited me at the entrance of the cavern. It was futile to object to one who seemed to have such powers, so grasping my courage as firmly as possible, I instantly obeyed Toi’s command to precede him into the subterranean passage. The opening speedily widened out and was lit up by myriads of glowworms. A dozen steps down the tortuous pathway, I heard the rushing of waters, and in a few moments we entered an enchanted glade. All around were tree ferns and nikau palms, while underneath grew a most luxuriant verdure composed of Prince of Wales feather, maidenhair and horseshoe ferns, all brilliantly lit up with fireflies and glowworms. Through the glade flowed a beautiful crystal river, and on its surface floated a perfectly-carved miniature Maori war oanoa Mannu 4 ** was a crew of

some 20 goblins, all with Maori tattoo on their faces. They also wore mats, but I . noticed that the feathers were weka, and not of moa feathers, like those on Toi’s mat. They carried miniature weapons, which were composed of bone and not of the rich greenstone that adorned the belt of their chief. I was given a haka of welcome and bade step into the war canoe. The paddles were set in motion, and speedily and gaily we proceeded up the centre of the river. Turning around a bend, the stream widened out into a large lake, where the beautiful ferns and palms reached to the water’s edge and dipped their fronds into the placid waters. Proceeding along the shores of the lake for some, distance, we came to a perfect landing-place, and just beyond showed a Maori village, only the houses were smaller, to suit the pigmy dimensions I of their goblin owners. Traversing the village paths, of shell, we passed through a ferny dell, and then came upon a large natural stone basin which contained much water. In the waters were to be seen many trout, big and little, and these seemed to be dashing along in pursuit of prey. As my gaze became accustomed to the water, I could see that the trout were hunting—not other fish or flies or any lure that I knew trout to be fond of—but human prey, and as each trout got near its victim it propelled from its mouth a small bomb which struck its mark unerringly and caused the victim to squirm and accelerate its pace. I could see that the bomb was not altogether a plaything, but caused a bruise on the flesh. I began to think that my turn was coming for similar treatment, when Toi, seat : ing himself on a stone, bade me approach. Seating myself near the Chief of the Goblins, while his attendant goblins formed a circle around us, Toi proceeded to explain the extraordinary spectacle. Standing up and brandishing his taiaha, to command silence and attention, he addressed me: “Because thou art a fisher of trout, it is given unto thee to be the witness of the things thou hast seen to-day. Thou, being a scribe, art commanded to tell to mortals that which thou has seen. In the dim and distant past, when Mount Egmont was removed from the Taupo district, the great gods of the Maori (Tane Mahuta and Tangaroa) appointed me and my followers the guardians of all fish in the waters that have their source in the slopes and ravines of Mount Egmont. The tuna (eel), inanga (minnow), the upokororo (greyling), the koura (crayfish), and the peharau (lamprey eel) were all placed under our care. Through the medium of the tohungas (priests) of old, we told to the Maoris the seasons when these fish could be captured. Then came the pakeha, who placed in our streams the beautiful rainbow and brown trout. These grew i lustily, and soon our pools and rapids became stocked with mighty fish, and anglers who came with rod and fly were under our special care. It was a great pleasure to myself and followers to watch the clever manner in which the pakeha with rod and fly captured and angled the speckled beauties, and many doughty fights we were delighted to witness in the Hungatahua (Stony River) and other streams that have their birth on the slopes of Taranaki. Then . came pakebas* who stealthily approached : our rivers, and selecting the best pools, i threw something into the stream which j in a few moments raised a noise like muffled i thunder, and burst up the waters and I lashed them to foam. These mortals then , proceeded to the tail-end of the pools and ' found all the trout, big and little, dead and floating on their sides The greedy '. pakehas picked out all the large trout, : and put them into bags until the receptacles would hold no more. The balance of the trout were wantonly left to pollute the waters and float down to the sea. These wicked and cruel mortals are all punished in the manner thou hast seen. Once in every 24 hours they are led forth by my gaolers and hurled into the nond. Here the trout that are killed bj r explosives and other illegal methods live again, and have their revenge on the mortals who destroyed them in such unsportsmanlike manner. And now, 0 kaita, ‘Ripple,’ the time has come for thy departure to the realm of mortals. Perchance at some future season thou mayest be permitted to again visit the home of the goblins, when more visions will be .

thy portion. Before thou departest the seal of Toi will be given unto thee, so that mortals may know thou hast indeed been permitted to dwell a short period with us, Guard well the treasured seal, which must be returned to me when I so command thee. And now, farewell! My task is o’er, and I must proceed to other parts of my underground domains to keep my eternal vigil of the rivers over which 1 have guardianship.” Giving a short command to his followers, Toi leapt up and strode off 011 the return journey. In a few minutes the war canoe was reached, and, having embarked, our passage down the crystal stream was soon ended. Toi disembarked, and, bidding me follow him, we soon reached the cave entrance on the cliff face.' Calling on the Maori gods to give me protection, he jerked me to the top of the stone, and gently pushed me from my unsecure foothold. I remember floating down and over the river and landing alongside my fishing gear and tucker-bag. Gazing up to the cliff, Toi had vanished; nor could I descry the opening of the cavern. At first I thought the whole thing was a dream, until I noticed something tightly clasped in the palm of my right hand. Opening my fingers, I was surprised to find a small greenstone axe. Toi had been as good as his word, and had given into my keeping his seal. This talisman I guard as my most treasured possession, which will only be relinquished by “Ripple” when he is again called upon by Toi to make another excursion into the shades inhabited by the goblins of the ancient Maori peeople.