MAORI MEMORIES

Wairarapa Times-Age, 30 January 1939, Page 3

MAORI MEMORIES

WAIKATO (FLOWING WATER) (Recorded by J.M.S. for '‘Times-Age.”) This was Ihe name applied to the great river, the wide expanse of fertile country, and the tribes occupying it. Ngati manaia poto (of brief influence). Ngatihaua (cowardly) and Ngatimahuta (the leapers), the latter tribo named after the Maori King Mahuta, was the dominant factor. Surrounded by country difficult of acess, backed by rugged mountain ranges, these three knew they could resist invasion if needed; but the early settlers were so welcome that no one ever dreamed of having to fight. Nor would they, but for the access of a few white scoundrels who deliberately brought them the degrading influence of drink, robbed them of their land, and deluded their women who had hitherto been protected for untold centuries by the sacred law of Tapu. Stray cattle and horses short of food raided the Maori unfenced plantations of the much prized maize, turnips, wheat, and carrots which had recently been introduced to them. The lanky Maori pigs rooted up the grass fields and plantations of the struggling settlers, who shot them.

The comparative strength of the well armed Maoris was five to one against us. The settlers found they were safer unarmed, for then they could depend upon the generous good will of the Maori hosts so long as they reciprocated.

When war threatened, the outpost settlers at Raglan refused the Governor’s offer of arms, feeling that it would be far safer to trust the natives, so the consignment of muskets was promptly returned to Auckland unopened. The Maoris reciprocated by even greater kindness.