MAORI MEMORIES

Wairarapa Times-Age, 12 February 1940, Page 3

MAORI MEMORIES

ATONEMENT BY DEATH, (Recorded by J.H.S. for “Times-Age.”) Isolated rocks, ravines, caves oij other peculiar objects, especially those j with trees which made them beautiful, always attracted the attention of the wily old Tohunga (priests) whose poetic instinct led them to endow such objects with supernatural romance, these men naturally became ‘'possessed" of what is said to be the punishment of even liar—that he believes in his own lies. On the relatively calm r-astern shores of New Zealand there are many such prominent objects which are coupled with these romances. Puketapu fort (sacred hill.) ncarOhinomutu is an example. A chief named Tohe Riri when a ' Kaumatua (aged) man. married the village Ataahua (beauty) named Kapha (cloudy .sky). Pakina. a wild youth, courted the lady in secret ways, making both liable to sudden death. Her home was on the summit of Pukalapu accessible only by way of the | cave Waha roa (long mouth) in which was fixed a wooden lever trap controlled by a rope from above. The old husband suspecting intrusion, fastened the rope by a string to his wrist as he > slept. Feeling a move he pulled tig- I orously until all was still. The dead body of the gay Lothario ' was found at dawn of day. Hearing the story, his father came to curse (Kangn) the body as that of a thief. Kapua. to save the soul of her lover, told of their secret love. The father wept with joy and chanted his Whakapainga (blessing). "Qh my son there are but‘two things for which a man may die with honour—woman or land—you have chosen the greater treasure,"