MAORI MEMORIES

Wairarapa Times-Age, 27 May 1939, Page 2

MAORI MEMORIES

THE FIRST LAND DEALS. (Recorded by J.H.S. for “Times-Age.”) One of the very early land sales made by the Rangatira of a northern tribe to a pakeha pioneer, who had first to be approved as a Tangata Tika (a straight man), shows the original Maori to have been a delightfully simple and naturally honest creature. The payment was made in silvercoins of all denominations each one being named a “herini,” that being the nearest they could sound “shilling.” The value was fixed at erima herini (five shillings) per hundred Tapuai Tapawha (square footsteps). Only the steps of the right foot were counted, and the tall man had a decided advantage. The purchaser made the steps and the chief made the Tatua (count) in Hokowhitu (ten times sevens). At each seventieth step'the shillings were tossed for and tossed to the winner. Finally the chief’s share of Erua hokowhitu (140 steps) was thrown among the crowd, on all agreeing to his rights—(l) To call the buyer “My Pakeha." (2) To a meal on his Pakeha’s lawn. (3) To make small presents in return for better ones from his Pakeha. (4) That his Pakeha must buy the chief’s produce. (5) That the chief’s pipe must never lack tobacco. The Pakeha’s Totika (privileges) were:— (6) That no one but the chief has the right to bully him into submission. (7) That if a raid was made upon him the whole tribe must come to the rescue and retaliate upon the. intruder. (8) That anything lost by the Pakeha must be diligently sought for by the tribe, and when recovered, it belongs to the chief! To their honour be it said, more Maori Rangitiras than Pakeha occupiers'faithfully and generously observed these obligations.