MAORI MEMORIES

Wairarapa Times-Age, 14 March 1939, Page 2

MAORI MEMORIES

MAORI TACT. (Recorded by J.H.S. for -Times-Age.”) Sir William Fox’s next attempt to negotiate was at Kihikihi. The Maori King and his suite rode away as Sir William rode in. This was the silent Maori way of refusing to discuss the question of agreement whilst our army was busy making the road to which they had so strongly objected. The Rangiriri Maoris were- greatly excited, and proposed to attack the military road makers. Matutaera counselled them not to interfere until he came among them to propose a compromise. Rewi and his great Manaiapoto tribe. seemed to have no interest in roads or troops. They were joyfully intent upon the coming feast in which the pakeha visitors were to be their honoured guests. Mr Fox and his party were invited to the great meetinghouse. Their first greeting was the savoury odour of rows of eels like hedges fifty feet long, strung upon sticks, roasting over embers. The guest of honour sat next to Rewi with a steaming basket of eels between them, from which they both ate with their fingers. They had hours of discussion. Rewi attacked all the past acts of the British and Colonial Government with clever criticism, showing up our timid, selfish and arrogant claims of superiority, making the best possible arguments against us by his wit and humour, yet in deference and courtesy to his guests without offence, Mr Fox was then invited to Wi Kingi’s house and introduced to his wife, when they joked and chatted and laughed for hours. That was the Maori way of preparing for the morrow’s serious meeting.