MAORI MEMORIES

Wairarapa Times-Age, 26 February 1940, Page 9

MAORI MEMORIES

BUYING KAINGAROA. (Recorded by J.H.S. for “Times-Age.”) After two years of Native Land Court, claims the Kainga Roa plains >.120,000 acres) were sold to the Government at 2s 6d an acre, or as their old Chief Taha Wai (Riverside) said, his tribe “was sold.” The government officer and his faithful Maori orderly Pani Ahuriri, well armed, rode the day’s journey from Tauranga through the deserted bush track carrying 150 booklets each of 100 Bank of New Zealand notes in their haversacks. Having been told that three notorious foreign characters had left by the usual highway late on the previous night, the Maori guide quickly diverted the government officer’s route, without mentioning his reason. A typical Maori welcome of 3,000 awaited the arrival, each one eventually receiving £5 as the value of his Whanau tanga (birthright) every pound of which was spent in lavish hospitality for their guests the Whakaria (paymaster), his guide, and the tribe whose claim for the land had been thrown aside in the Land Court.

The body of a dead Chief Pera Niko, wonderfully preserved, was dressed and stood erect before the paying officer who had been his personal friend for years. The satchel containing the bank notes, each of which still bears the portrait of that chief, was hung around his widow’s neck. During the long hours of handing each man his share, the painful cry of the Tangi was heard like an anthem. Then the Chief chanted loudly “Kati ra. Kua ea te mate o to matua ka mate koe.” (Cease to mourn. Sorrow for your parent has been allayed).