MAORI MEMORIES

Wairarapa Times-Age, 7 June 1939, Page 3

MAORI MEMORIES

MAKUTU. (Recorded by J.H.S. for “Times-Age.”) After a sufficient number of Ripeka (crosses) had been made upon that mysterious Tiriti (Anglice Treaty), due as the Maori said, to the exhaustion of blankets, tobacco and axes, the Governor died, thus confirming their suspicion of the English power of Makutu (witchcraft). Thence onward, not one word of the Tiriti was heard by the Maoris, who decided that it ,too had been the victim of Makutu, and was buried with him. Others believed it was hidden in England in the vain hope that the Mea pirau (bribery) by which it was obtained would be forgotten in the lapse of years. A vain Kona (desire) for the Mahara (Maori memory), unlike that of the pakeha, passes from father to son of every generation. One old Maori friend of the pakeha walked 50 miles to Wai timata (where the water begins, the Maori name of Auckland) to whisper in the ear of the new Governor, “If that sacred paper has gone to England, then in the name of your Atua (God) let it not be kept near the pots and kettles or where food is cooked, for my cross and those of other chiefs would thus cause us to die of Makutu (bribery). For our safety we give you Inoi (prayers) to let it be buried with its Mataika (first victim), the Governor. The towns and the new pakehas promised to us did not come. Your traders left us in the far North and Korora reka (tasty bird), to live in greater comfort at the new town of Wai timata. Tobacco is scarce and clear, ships do not come to Hokianga or Mangonui, me reason being that the Governor charged one shilling a pound to land our smokes, and five shillings a ton to drop anchor on our shores so that he might enjoy free smokes and food for himself.”