MAORI MEMORIES

Wairarapa Times-Age, 15 August 1938, Page 7

MAORI MEMORIES

SOME LEADERS, PAST AND PRESENT. (Recorded by J.H.S. for “Times-Age.”) Rangihaeata, whose name is poetically translated “The Dawn of Heaven,” died on the day I was born in 1856. He was seventy, and in his gloomy mind had fostered animosity against the British, until his own followers were against him. In 1848 at a great Maori meeting in Otaki, Rangihaeata met Sir George Grey. The Maori chief was six feet one, a perfect athlete. He wore a great dogskin mat, with huia feathers in his black hair. He despised European clothing. His people around him, having given allegiance to Queen Victoria, had little sympathy with him, all wearing some European dress. With a proud mien, he told Sir George that he was not tired of war, but the spirit of peace was with men, who like all women, used their tongues as weapons. “I want nothing of the Pakeha and wear nothing of theirs,” he said. In reply, Sir George condemned war, but said he would uphold the law by force. He smilingly pointed to a peacock featner among the huia plumes, when Rangihaeata tramped on it amid the laughter of his people. Comparisons had been made ' be-, tween Rangihaeata and Rauparaha, two dissimilar men. In intellect, Rauparaha was infinitely superior, and was followed, but not respected. Rangihaeata was respected but not followed. After Rauparaha died, Rangihaeata’s hatred of the English was modified. Like his late leader, he attended church, and sought to prevent tribal wars. The times which created Heke, Kawhiti, Pomare, Taniwha, Rauparaha, and Rangihaeata were said to have passed for ever; but have we not had Keepa, Carroll, Ngata and Hare Hongi, though each bore “the sign of a cross.”