LETTER TO THE EDITOR.

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 6, Issue 289, 24 April 1862, Page 3

LETTER TO THE EDITOR.

Putiki, April 19th, 1862. Sir, —The natives of this place, who have just returned from Pipiriki (where they went to meet a party of the Ngatipikiao from the east coast), have brought back a very strange story of the discovery of an unknown tribe, living in a district which was supposed to be nothing but mountains, lying to the west of Hikurangi, and between that lofty mountain and' Lake Taupo, which is a very extensive region in the widest part of the island. The Bishop of Waiapu was journeying in that portion, of this diocese, and when passing along one side of a deep chasm he saw a woman with a child sitting under a fern, tree on the opposite side, and several men among the precipices. On ari’iving at the nearest village, he inquired if there were any people living amongst the mountains. They said, No; but finding that they had some idea that there were natives there, he determined to explore this unknown region, and, making up a party, with a good supply of food, he set off on his journey. With great difficulty they succeeded in ascending the first range of mountains, and then a second and a third; when, their food beginning to fail, his companions wanted to return, fearing lest they should be starved to death. The Bishop urged them to proceed, and, to encourage them, he divided his remaining stock of biscuit amongst them, and pointed out a kareao, which had evidently been bitten in two with the teeth. Afterwards they emerged from the mountains, and came to a fine open country. As they proceeded, they noticed a place which had apparently been cleared by fire, and shortly afterwards they saw some distinct foot-marks—then they came upon several tracks. Selecting one which seemed to have been recently used, they soon came to cultivation, and then to a well beaten path, which they followed until it brought them to a large pah, which appeared to be deserted. The houses were built on each side of the road, and were vyell made. There were several wati tokas beautifully ornamented with carving. Some of the party had the curiosity to peep into one of these food stores, which he found filled with dried eels, mangas, calabashes of potted birds, and large quantities of a new kind of fern root, much larger and finer than any they had ever seen. The natives were tempted to help themselves to some of these dainties, but the Bishop would not permit them to take any "thing. Hitherto they had seen none of the inhabitants; they began to be afraid. The Bishop went first along the road which ran through the pah, and w r hen they had got some distance beyond it, they saw a number of natives sitting by the way-side. On approaching them, they were not welcomed with the usual salutation—- “ haere mai, haere mai,” but with the exclamation—“he atua, he atua,” “these aTe gods, these are gods! ” The Bishop went up to them and said they were not gods but only, maories like themselves, that he alone belonged to another race, showing them that the colour of his skin was different. He then inquired which was their head chief. The person he addressed replied in good Maori that he was. He next demanded how many of them were chiefs. Tlie same person pointed out each, saying, “ This is a chief, that is a chief.” The Bishop inquired of their origin, and how and when they came there. The head chief said they originally came to the country- in the Taki tumu (one of the original canoes), and had lived there ever since—that they were not aware of there being any other natives besides themselves in the island. He next inquired about their number, and was told there were several large pahs of them. Then he demanded what kind of food they had. They produced some of this new species of fern root, which they said they cultivated, breaking off the smaller ends as sets, planting them in the fourth month, and in the autumn they gathered in their crop for winter use. They then asked in reply what was their food. The Bishop showed them a potato, which excited their astonishment; he divided those that remained amongst them, giving two to each chief. They inquired how it was to be raised. He pointed to the eyes, and said, that they must be so cut that each piece shoidd contain one or more . eyes. They asked how they were to be cut. He said with a knife, and, pulling out one, he gave it to the head, chief. They demanded the proper time for planting; and were told it was also in the fourth month. Then they asked which was the most' suitable place. He told them they should clear the forest ground, and plant the potatoes there. They wanted to know how they were to clear the trees away. The Bishop answered, “with a hatchet;” and threw one down before the head chief.

Tbey then brought out a large heap of cooked food, which formed a pile more than a yard high. The Bishop took some of this new species of’fern root, which he tasted, and pronounced to he very good; it appears from the description to be a kind of yam. It seemed to be the only cultivated food they were acquainted with, for they are without the kumara, taro, and hue. The Bishop then had prayers. They were most attentive, kneeling down , and imitating his followers in all they did.; The. Bishop is said to have made a, long'stay with them, teaching them theirTetters before he left. Such is-the substance 1 of the account given me, which, if really true, is of the deepest interest. It seems wonderful that a party of natives could thus, become, isolated from the rest of their countrymen, and remain so for so many generations still maintaining the same language, manners, and customs;—for they also tattooed their persons, built their houses and ornamented them Avitb similar carving, manm faetured similar garments of flax,.and presented

a close resemblance to the rest- of their race. At present, however, this is'only a native report and requires confirmation, still, even as sucli, 1 think you will deem it worthy of being recorded in tlie pages of the Chronicle. I remain,. Yours truly, . Richard Taylor.