MAORI MEMORIES

Wairarapa Times-Age, 25 May 1940, Page 3

MAORI MEMORIES

1842. (Recorded by J.U.S., o£ Palmerston North, for the “Times-Age.’*) In 1842 the white people in New Zealand numbered 11,000, the Maoris in most instances being more than 10 to 1. One Maori in a thousand could read or partly understand the meaning of our words. It was certain, therefore, that the majority were completely in tho dark concerning the nature of the alleged transfer of their lands. The principal white settlements were i Wellington (3700 people), Auckland (3000), Nelson (2500), Taranaki (900), Russell, Hokianga, Wanganui, and Akaroa about 200 each. In every case, except Auckland, the Maoris were thoroughly dissatisfied, and were, as they openly declared, able to'- “eat the lot at one meal." yet in the absence of restrictive laws on both sides, crime was almost unknown. Our males far outnumbered the females, so from lack of their good influence the lonely bachelors were rapidly becomingloafers and drunkards, spending what little money they had instead of working for a living. Enforced frugality and the splendid climate found the doctors without practice, so they became store keepers. Most deaths were caused by drowning. Though thoroughly convinced by the lies of Dame Rumour that the Maoris of that period ate human flesh as a relish. the fact remained that cannibalism was merely a religious' ceremony comparable to our sworn abstainer’s indulging in the taste of sacramental wine, differing only in its objective. The Maori's sole purpose was similar to that, of the modern blood transfusion —to acquire the Mana (strength'of body and spirit of a brave enemy).