MAORI MEMORIES

Wairarapa Times-Age, 19 March 1941, Page 2

MAORI MEMORIES

UTU (PAYMENT). (Recorded by J.H.S., o£ Palmerston North, for the “Times-Age.”) Dr. Featherston’s plans for dividing the money were accepted by all the Ngatiapa tribe except Kawana (Governor) Hunia, who, like many of our petty politicians, gurded by vanity, approve only their own schemes. Karanamu said: “Hunia is like the Maori shrubs: the more you cut him down the quicker he sprouts.’’ Hunia sat quietly down on the grass through much of this Maori wit and chaff, till at last some caustic epithet provoked him to retort: “A fine fellow you are. Karanamu; you’ll tell us soon that you have two pairs of legs.” “Sit down,” shouted Karanamu. Then came a war of words and abuse too full of Maori raciness to be fit for English ears. The two chiefs danced furiously, threatening each other with spears. “Why don’t you strike me?” said Hunia. “It’s easier to parry spear thrusts than your lies.” Hunia sat down. Karanamu reproached him with a serious blot on his pedigree. Hunia shouted “Liar.” A British historian present compared the proceedings with the events recorded in “The Iliad.” but with one thing not in favour of the Greeks —the Maori women took their full part, in council with the men. After a day of feasting, song and story, the parties met with apparent friendship. Hunia explained that ho pulled down the tynion Jack as a sign that the sale was off. not as an act of disrespect to the Queen. Then followed, the payment of £25,000 to a score of chiefs, who in turn handed it over to some 2000 of their dependents without even a word of thanks (whaka whetai) or any question as to the adequacy of each man's share twain). I