MAORI MEMORIES
COMMUNITY INDUSTRY. (Recorded by J.H.S., of Palmerston North, for the “Times-Age.’’) From 1854 to 1864 the Maoris gave us an example of community industry and progress which would be a credit to any pakeha institution today. But sad to relate, all signs of such cheerful co-operation have, for some unexplained reason, almost completely vanished. In 1854 one hundred and thirty converted war canoes each propelled by 20 or 30 paddlers, assisted by raupo sails, made rapid trading journeys to Auckland. One of these light draught vessels 40 feet long, hewn from a Kauri log. was. sold to an Auckland trading firm for £450. Considering that it had taken 25 men with stone implements and fire over a year to shape, and that it would last for centuries, this was a bargain to Ihe fortunate buyer, who for the first time in history had induced .the Maori to broak the law of Tapu which applied to all their canoes.
The very beginnings of this community service dated from 1848, when Wiremu Kingi, and 600 of his tribe with 60 horses travelled along the coast from Waikanae to Taranaki. In 1854 they owned 150 horses. 40 carts. 35 ploughs. 20 pairs of harrows. 3 winnowing machines, and 10 wooden houses.
In 1858 official statistics showed a great increase of wealth among Maoris. Tattooed Maoris dressed in a flax waist mat were seen between plough handles. Around the evening fire they discussed their crops and thc fnarket prices. In that year over £40.000 of customs duly was contributed by Maoris. Their trading instinct quickly developed. Their chief said: “What fools we were to sell our potatoes, pigs, pumpkins and peas for old pots and pans.”
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Wairarapa Times-Age, 29 July 1940, Page 3
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284MAORI MEMORIES Wairarapa Times-Age, 29 July 1940, Page 3
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