MAORI MEMORIES

Wairarapa Times-Age, 8 December 1939, Page 2

MAORI MEMORIES

MAORI WELCOME, 1840. (Recorded by J.H.S. for “Times-Age.”) The landing of the sailing ship “Blenheim” on Christmas Day, 1840, at Pito One (sandy point) was an event treasured in the minds of at least a thousand descendants of the Fraser family who settled on the banks of the lower Rangitikei River. Printed records give the date as several months later; but to those of us born less than 20 years after that doubly sacred anniversary, there can be no question that the date recorded in the minds of a score of the passengers is correct. Many memorised records of the Wairua Maori (Maori Spirit) are on record. To those of us who hoard

from our parents their oft told tale of that landing, know that the following graphic newspaper report correctly describes the then genuine attitude of Maori friendship toward these Pake pakeha (white-faced fairies). "When the boat touched the sandy beach a brown hand was stretched out with a firm grasp to steady the high footstep ashore; its firm grasp meant Aktt Iloa (my friend). The ring lined tattooed cheeks and smiling lips clearly indicated Ilaere Mai iwelcome). pur luggage stacked on the dry sandy beach was given a pat on each package by the hand of a Tohunga (priest) who thus made it Taptt (sacred) to all other than the owner. The Ilaangi (earth oven* sent up its cloud of Mamaoa ma (while steam) as a token of Huatanga (goodwill). The Maori mother gave her hands to two elder white Teina (sisters), and directed them to her reed lined whare moe (bedroom* as an open invitation to Oki Oki (rest). A kindly old savage thrust his red tongue over his chin, and rolled his eyes, meaning “kindly humour."