THE ADVENTURES OF THE NATIVE AMBASSADORS. Tawhiao Draws the Long Bow. [FROM OUR OWN CORRESPONDDENT.]

Waikato Times, Volume XXIII, Issue 1933, 25 November 1884, Page 3

THE ADVENTURES OF THE NATIVE AMBASSADORS. Tawhiao Draws the Long Bow. [FROM OUR OWN CORRESPONDDENT.]

Some of the extraordinary stories—stories which are deliberately concocted by his Majesty l'awhiao and related by him to the wondering natives —are droll in the extreme, and serve to show that contact with the Emopeans has not by any means lessened their belief in the supernatural. The following little story is an instance of this. It was told in such a serious manner that it taxed the gravity of the person who heard it, but at the same time left no doubt in his mind as to the belief of the narrator in Tawhiao's story. Tawhiao told the native in question that while on the voyage to England there was a fearful commotion in the sea one day. Presently a huge taniwha appeared, and swimming up to the steamer shook her so much that the masts were nearly rolled out of her. The sea at the same time was lashed into foam, and the spray flying over the ship. The passengers became very much alarmed ; not so Tawhiao : he knew what it was ; all his ancestors had, as every Maori chief of rank has, a particular tauiwha. He was notqnitesure the gods favoured him as much as they did his forefathers, but he knew now he was regarded with favour by them, for this was his particular deity or taniwha. Accordingly he went down to his cabin, and expecting the ship to sink he tied his money in a little bag which he fastened to his waist, for if the vessel foundered lie knew the taniwha would take him safely to land, and it was just possible he would require some money. While he was thus engaged Major Te Wheoro came down and told him the Europeans were dreadfully alarmed^ as they fully expected the steamer to sink every moment. His kingship went up on deck and muttered a few incantations, when the sea became quite calm, and the taniwha disappeared. How is that for high ? Heie is another told by Topia, and told me by an old Maori to whom it was told. On their arrival in London Topia, who carried the purse, looked round for lodgings for the party. Some chaigcd a pound, some fifteen shillings, and some ten shillings a day for board and lodging. This, of course, was too much, so he hunted round till he found one at fi\e shillings a day, so they took up their quartets there ; meantime, the Queen had heard of their trouble, wrote to them to say that they were not to be charged anything while stopping in any of her houses. I looked at the old fellow incredulously, and he said, "It is true, quite true, for I heard it from Topia himself, and he was there.'' I asked him if he believed it, and he said he did. The guileless children of nature believe, or piotess to believe it. Tawhiao not satisfied (so it is reported here among the natives) with the cool reception accorded him by the Ngatimaniapofcos on his lttuin fiom England is about to leave Whatiwhatihoe and take up his residence at Lower Waikato. None of the principal chiefs oi* t^iat tribe were present to welcome him on his arrival. When asked what news he biought back w ith him he said he only brought the blue ribbon, but that Te Wheoro would on his return make known the lesult of the mission. If Tawhiao, by piecept and example, enforces the principles of the blue ribbon movement among his people, the mission to England will not have been in vain, for they will derive more solid and lasting benefit by the adoption of temperance than from any attempt to get redress for their grievances, whether fancied or leal. When questioned on religious matters Tawhiao said he V'ould not attempt to coerce anyone, that thcie were several denominations of the Lhristian faith, and that his people could please themselves which they adopted, or could if they chose piotess the Hauhau religion. Like most natives, his idea of religion is a very hazy one.