MAORI MEMORIES

Wairarapa Times-Age, 4 March 1940, Page 3

MAORI MEMORIES

TAIHOA (Wait a bit). (Recorded by J. 11.5. for “Times-Age.’') An Englishman had succeeded in obtaining an interview with Tawhiao and his chiefs by representing that ho was a delegate from the Queen of England, for whom the Maoris had a loyal respect “as the equal of their King.” There sat his Majesty in the Wharo Runanga with his four wives seated on fresh green rush mats in the great hall 80 feet by 40. with tattoed lips and huia feather in the hair to denote their rank. In a semi-circle around them sat ten Maori chiefs all of them well built men. The most striking figure was To Wahanui, the famous Manaiapoto fight-, ing man. Six feet three, with remarkable personality and eloquence, appreciated by the visitor whose introduction was due to his own knowledge of their language. Wahanui was known as “the power behind the Maori throne." The King having enquired as to the purpose of the visit, the "Queen's delegate" said he wished for purely literary purposes to go’ through the Maori Kingdom, and would respect their secrets “to the very letter of their wishes.” The reply was "Taihoa, kn tupato" (Wait—be cautious). Common to all Maori future transactions this would be more correctly translated as "By and by" or as they frequently express it, "plenty more days." The Spanish, proverb "Never do today what may bo done tomorrow" may have suggested that universal proverb Tai Hoa which: thus dissected, means "Await the tide my Friend." Permission was indefinitely postpon-