MAORI MEMORIES

Wairarapa Times-Age, 1 July 1939, Page 5

MAORI MEMORIES

THE QUEST f-’OR ARMS. (Recorded by J.H.S. for “Times-Age.”) According to the memorised traditions of old Ngatiapa chiefs of Rangitikei, Rauparaha and his one priestly Tohunga walked from Kawhia to Waikanae and back in about four months, a total distance of 600 miles. This was n 1820. There was no need to carry food, for they were welcomed everywhere as a mission of universal peace, bringing to every village the prediction of a coming year of drought, and the need to provide against staivation by doubling production. After a similar visit and caution to the people of Kapiti Island where they secured a sample musket and ammunition for demonstration, the return journey of 300 miles was made at the leisurely pace of 20 miles a day, barfing Sundays, when they preached peace. Boots or sore feet were unknown, salt and the sea shore rad converted their soles into shoe leather. On arrival, the single musket also converted the souls of the Ngatiawa, I Vgatitoa, and Ngatitame (the tribes of he valleys, the braves and the sons) nto true pilgrims, whose shrine was Capiti Island with its whale ships, nuskets, and ammunition with which to enslave the rest of the Maori world. This prospect and their growing faith n Rauparaha having been inspired, ivc-rcame their five centuries of love ior the ancestral lands of their fathers. So they decided, not without pangs of egret, to seek a new heaven on earth, □nly when we remember that to them, he land where the spirit of their athers awaited the coming of each succeeding generation, was “a living hing,” can we realise their mental and piritual effort. The women and children, well prosioned. left in 50 great canoes for Btaki, the land of plenty. A thousand ten amply provided for by RauparaTs predicted famine walked to meet on this mission of “peace, arms, nd subsequent conquest.”