A PORTRAIT OF TITO-KOWARW.

Westport Times, Volume III, Issue 403, 14 November 1868, Page 2

A PORTRAIT OF TITO-KOWARW.

An interesting description of Tito Kowaru and the other chiefs of the Nagaruahine hapu, is given by a correspondent of one of the Auckland papers : —Tito Kowaru is a man about 27 years of age ; about 5 feet 9 inches in height; good-looking for his kind ; smart and brawny. He is not tattooed, but lias a head of black curly hair, which, when uncovered, falls in a thick bunch over his forehead, which does not add to his otherwise favourable countenance. This man vvas on the most intimate terms with the officers and men of the regular troops who from time to time occupied the redoubt atTuruturumokai, from 1860 to 1867. He with his wife and people were continually in and about the camp daily, selling peaches, small pigs, and potatoes to the troops. The waipero was in continual demand by him and his female relations, and, in default of getting it, the canteen outside the redoubt would be resorted to, where their debauch would end in a good sleep of the whole confraternity in the fern. This Tito Kowaru could speak English pretty well, but the sub-chiefs Ngaihina (Mr E Graham's friend) and Tukino, also visitors from the neighbourhood of Pokaikai, were far superior in English conversation.: They all could read and write English, and often asked for the loan of a newspaper. Ngahina is a most aristocratic-looking fellow when dressed, with a countenance having more of the Italian than the Maori. Neither of these men were tutooed. They now all seem to be making good use of the knowledge they acquired in our camps, against the forces we send to the field.