MAORI MEMORIES

Wairarapa Times-Age, 17 October 1940, Page 3

MAORI MEMORIES

4 CONVERTED; THEN DISHEARTENED. (Recorded by J.H.S., of Palmerston North, for the “Times-Age.”) Ninety-five years ago Korora Reka (the tasty shell fish) in the far north was the main port of Aotea roa, fre-1 quented by small sailing ships, whal- j ers, sailors, and traders combining to work havoc among the simple kindly Maori people, who sought eagerly to acquire old flint lock guns, which they quaintly named ngutu parera (duck bills) after the flat shaped hammer. I Every Maori carried in his flax waist | band (tatua) a shining steel tomahawk (titaha). These articles, backed by crude alcohol, formed the basis of Maori downfall, and effectually destroyed the splendid work of Bishop Pompallier, whose little tin cross hung from the right ear of every brown man and woman convert, as evidence of their genuine belief in his ideally simple Christian doctrine. With a deep knowledge of the Maori language and theology he retained their faith in the future home (To Reinga) of the under world, and their centuries-old law of Tapu (sacred, forbidden) which contrasted favourably with our vanished doctrine of ever-1 lasting torture. But alas, our acquirement of. their I land, services, and food in exchange i for worthless baubles very quickly brought, genuine revolt against our | professed religion (Korero Karakia). It is not the open enemies of any good ( cause, but its pretenders who ruin it. j Fired by drink and inflamed by wrongs J the Maoris went to war. In 1860 theyj: were strong enough to have “eaten || us alive" as their Chiefs said. The .J only reason why they refrained was i consideration for our women and children. |