MAORI MEMORIES

Wairarapa Times-Age, 7 February 1941, Page 2

MAORI MEMORIES

FLESH FOODS. ’Recorded by J.H.S.. of Palmerston North, for the "Times-z\)ic."t The flesh of the native dog introduc- ! ed in the first canoe was highly relished. Docked by the Maoris as we do lambs, the male pups grew bigger than the few needed for breeding. We have an average lambing of 80 per cent; but the Kuri average was nearer 8 each, and these were dependent upon the mother for the first six months’ sustenance. We use the word "dog" as an insult; the Maori applied it as a term of endearment. The flesh of the Kekeno tseal) found only in the far south was greatly relished. Stranded whales were devoured as a general feast which was the only source of a rare gorge by the whole population within ten miles. Owing to its oily nature, good rather than harm resulted. From their superstitious fear of Ngarara (snakes) probably originating in the tropics, they never ate lizards; but early historians said “they ate the Guana eighteen inches long.” This perhaps refers to the Tuatara, that sole .survivor of the spiney-backed Saurian age whose third eye on the back of the skull is of such interest to modern naturalists. This is no myth for I saw one dissected by Dr. Horne, of Blenheim in 1875. Huge worms <Toke> nourished in virgin soil actually two feel long wi rr cooked and eaten. An army cook who' road of the historic "Diet, of Worms" . made a pie for his officers who thor- i ■ughly eiijoyed ii. and asked for aim then treat on the morrow. When told • that "worms is too scarce, Sir." it is : said that the Captain was violently ; sick at die back of the tent.