CAMP LIFE WITH TE KOOTI.

Westport Times, Volume V, Issue 892, 25 November 1871, Page 2

CAMP LIFE WITH TE KOOTI.

A correspondent at Opotiki sends the " Ilawke's B ; .y Herald" the following : I formerly gave a few notes relating to Te Kooti's earlier life. The following, collected from some of his latest followers, however improbable they may appear, are perfectly authentic, and denote the power of one man over the mauy, obtained by the aid of superstition, oven to the extreme of trespassing upon persoiial affections. No doubt, Te Kooti is a man of strong mind, combining with his fanaticism a depth of cunning seldom equalled among natives. He is a strong disciplinarian, both in camp and on the march, relying solely upon his own judgment under all circuustances. It, is Te Kooti's custom, wheu arising from sl.ce.ijj to ca " n ' s followers to karakia {i.e., prayers); when the 82nd or 84>fch psalm 13 Bung, altered by Te Kooti to suit himsoif, prayers are read by him, or some minister appointed to do so. Alter prayers

parties are ordered out to hunt for food, &c. When pigs are to be found, men are instructed to cut off the ears of the first pig caught, and to offer up thanks to the atua. In all cases when food is obtained, thanks are given, and men going out are particularly instructed not to eat, drink or smoke till return to camp, lest the atua should be offended. If a party returns unsuccessful, blame is attributed to one of them having disobeyed the orders given, and that the atua had kept the food from them. The offender, if pointed out by his companions, is punished by Te Kooti, who in strung terms will sentence him to be deprived of the opportunity of hunting for food, by confining him to camp. Te Kooti will often start out alone in the early morning, with a decoy kaka on his shoulder, or a tomahawk t<> get out honey. It is a practise of his to go out and reconnoitre the surrounding country, climbing to the tops of the highest ranges, not returning to camp till evening. He pretends to undertake all his expeditions to murder or plunder by the inspiration of his " atua," as when inspired at the Chatham's to deliver his people from bondage. When so inspired, he will often arise from sleep and call his followers together to prayers, as when he informs them that his "atua" has given something to him during his sleep, but whether food, in;.n, or woman, lie cannot lelj. A party is then despatched by him in the direction desired by him. If a man, or food, is found, well and good, but if a woman she is to be brought to him. If the party return unsuccessful, the man to whom charge of the mission was given, is tied up and confined in a " whare' for days without food or fire. Should a messenger, or a man having been absent from camp some time, return, no one dare hold conversation with him, till after seeing Te Kooti. He is led up to Te Kooti's whare, and remains outside, awaiting the word to enter. It is a strict rule ; no one approaches his whare without permission. Karakia (service) is held four times a day, the last being the prayer for sleep, when retiring to rest, after which no one is allowed to move about and silence is kept by all, and no one dare approach Te Kooti's whare after that time. When thunder is heard, his men will enquire the words of the "atua" ; he will then reply to the effect that the "atua" tells him that there are men among them desirous to escape to the Government, and that they will be killed. A rainbow is ano'her favourite sign of the '' atua" to him denoting many things, chiefly as it suits him at the time, it would seem. He threatens all men escaping to Government with a future punishment ; however long they live in imagined security, judg meut will come for deserting the "atua." He asserts that all the Government people will be delivered into his hand, and great power given him, when all seceders will be put to the sword. When a mau is to be put to death, the G2nd psalm is sung over him and then Jed to execution. When on the march or war path no one is allowed to smoke or eat till the word is given by him. All fresh converts to his " atua" are re-christened by him with scriptural names.