MAORI MEMORIES
PA-REWA-NUI. (Recorded by J.H.S.. of Palmerston North, for the “Times-Age.”) The township of “Rangitikei” changed its name to “Bulls” in honour of its pioneer James Bull, because the official authorities saw difficulties ahead in the names of the “important centre” and the large district being confused. In the official argument Auckland, Wellington and Nelson cities and provinces were carefully avoided. Bulls was in the public eye mainly noted because of its nearness to the Ngatiapa Pa where £25,000 was paid to the Maoris just before Christmas 1866. Beneath the shade of the beautiful Karaka grove £lO,OOO in gold, and £15,000 in banknotes changed hands, most of it spent in grog. A thousand Maori warriors dressed in waist mats, the chiefs wearing handsome feather mats with Huia.feathers and plumes of the, white heron in their mass of black hair. Sweet as the sound of distant music came the voices of the Maori women chanting their songs of welcome to the white visitors (Manuhiri Pakeha). Not only was this great block of valuable land being purchased to settle the rush of nioneers, but to put an end to the tribal wars over its title which had raged for untold generations. The Pakeha and the Maori Chiefs had agreed upon its value (2s. an acre). All that remained was to decide how the money was to be shared by sub-tribes and families. One section had owned the land by “Ahi ka roa” (keeping a fire alight for four seasons), another bv “Raupatu" (conquest), and still another by “Kai Taneata” (cooking and eating a chief on it). Both main parties were armed with Pakeha guns, and a record slaughter with these new arms would have followed, but for the tact of Dr. Featherston the provincial government representative, for avarice and jealousy were predominant with the tribes. Further reference will be made to this gathering tomorrow.
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Wairarapa Times-Age, 15 March 1941, Page 3
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313MAORI MEMORIES Wairarapa Times-Age, 15 March 1941, Page 3
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