MAORI MEMORIES

Wairarapa Times-Age, 17 March 1941, Page 2

MAORI MEMORIES

PA-REWA-NUI. (Recorded by J.H.S., of Palmerston North, tor the “Times-Age.”) On a signal from Petatone (Dr. Featherston), the tribes were called to the Council with a long-drawn cadence which sounded like the musical notes of a putorino (flute), “Come, come, come hither- —Maoris come,” brought men, women and children, more than 2000 of them. The chiefs bore taiahas, the symbols of authority, the men clubs, tokens of war. and the women heitikis of greenstone as badges of authority. The provincial officers and the interpreter were seated round the flagstaff. Hunia te Hakeke, the dramatic young Ngatiapa chief, clothed in a waist mat, armed with a short spear, springing like a leopard to emphasise his ■words. Though his gestures were fierce, his appeals were for peace. Waitere Marumaru, Karanama and Peeti te Awe Awe, whose marble statue now stands in the Square at Palmerston North, and others spoke rapidly and with the same dramatic fervour. This Maori custom of leaping, dancing, running, undressing and waving his weapons gives the speaker time to think, his listeners to weigh his words, and the interpreter to keep pace with him. Then followed the one great meal of the day: meat, fish, birds, potatoes, kumara, puha, rauriki, sweet corncobs, all steamed to perfection in the earth ovens. Served in fresh little green flax baskets. No dishes, forks or spoons to wash, the bones and baskets cast into the fire.