MAORI MEMORIES

Wairarapa Times-Age, 5 February 1940, Page 2

MAORI MEMORIES

WOMAN’S WIT.

(Recorded by J.H.S. for “Times-Age.”)

A strong head wind for two days delayed the “Rifleman’s” arrival at Poverty Bay, so Te Kooti ordered a Patunga Tapu (human sacrifice) in order to pacify the Atua Marangai (Storm God). In view of his promise to the captain, a fellow Maori was the victim. With hands and feet tied he was thrown over, and quickly sank. This barbarity was justified by quoting Jonah.

Armed guards paraded the deck day and night, and each sailor off duty slept in the locked cabin. Not white man was permitted to enter the cook’s quarters, handle food, or serve it. This was obviously a precaution against poison, though attributed to the sacred law of Tapu. At the time of this silent strategic capture of the “Rifleman,” Mr S. Percy Smith and a number of his staff were engaged in a survey of the Chathams several miles away. On hearing of the revolt, they ran to the barracks armed with billhooks, and hatchets, fearing a tragedy, only to see the schooner in full sail a mile away.

On going to the eating house of a prosperous lady caterer for luncheon, she told them that the approach of twenty Maori prisoners without guards warned her of serious trouble. All currency on the Island was then gold, silver and copper, kept in three canvas bags. These she dropped into the kettle, and put it on to boil. Setting the table hastily, she greeted them at the door with “Haeremai aku manuhiri” (Welcome, my guests) and served tea flavoured with copper. Only a woman could think instantly of such an effective hiding place for £lOO or more.