Taketake

Past Koriniti the scenery becomes more grand and beautiful, the hills more majestic, the foliage more dense. Long silent reaches of placid water stretch between the rapids, broken only by the fernfronds, which droop gracefully, as if admiring themselves in the limpid waters below. Here, near the heart of the country, we reach Ranana, nestling picturesquely amidst sunshine and shade, surrounded by virgin forest and mighty hills. This was the pa of Hori Kingi, the uncle of Major Kemp. He was greatly respected and renowned amongst the chiefs of his race, and was honoured by the Pakehas for his bravery and for his loyalty to the great Pakeha Queen. He and his people in Ranana prevented the Hau Hau's from coming down the river, as they intended, to carry their war into the pa of the Pakeha at Wanganui. For his gallantry and bravery Hori Kingi was presented with the armour of Hongi Ika, which was brought down from Taupo-moana.

Ranana