MAORI MEMORIES

Wairarapa Times-Age, 13 April 1940, Page 9

MAORI MEMORIES

FOREST (NGA HERE HERE). (Recorded by J.U.S. tor the ‘•Time.n-Age.”) f.'/iut TiC;' til ici’t ol cli-iLitic conditions unrivalled in any other pari nf the world, is shown in (he vast forests wherein the Maoris found their main source of food, shelter, and protection against enemy tribes. The Nikr.u. Mamaku and Ponga. semitropic in appearance, provided food, building material, and implements with which to capture birds, rats and fish, their only- flesh food other than huhu (white grubs). The most striking omission amidst this fertile soil and favoured climate was the complete absence of all kinds of luscious fruits including the apple, that strange symbol of original sin by the garden dwellers in Paradise, of which a half-caste Maori, educated in England, was severely’ censured for his poetic translation — Some say twas by- an apple This world came to despair; Bin I've just heard in chapel ’Twas all caused by' a pair." In the sunny spots and sheltered valleys. near semi-tropic palms and tree ferns, one finds an intermixed variety of Kahikatea, Tawa. Totara, Rimu. Matai. Miiiie. Rewarewa, Titoki. Kowhai, and scores of others all growing together, whereas in every other country each class stands apart from others. The evergreen giants grow close together, their tops getting moisture and sunshine from the dense roof of intermixed branches and leaves, leaving bare stems suitable for man’s use. Each one must compete with others to reach the sunlight or die. hence the great average height.