The Ancient Wisdom.

In his boyhood he was selected for training by his elders in the traditions and the sacred lore of old Maoridom; it was intended that he should succeed them as tohunga and legend-keeper of Ngati-Ruanui. But the Church captured him in his young manhood, and his energies were then directed otherwise. His interests remained broad and diverse, however. He concerned himself with temperance advocacy among the people, and he stoutly championed their land claims. He, like his tribesmen, had suffered greatly by the wholesale confiscations of the Waimate Plains land.

I suggested once to Tahu Potiki that he should be in Parliament representing his people of the Western Maori electorate. That was after the death of Sir Maui Pomare. “No, I couldn't endure the waste of time,” was his reply. General politics did not interest him; he concentrated every hour and every energy on the great work of advancing the welfare and the uplifting of his race. That was always in his mind. He was always grateful for the sympathy and the helping voice and pen of his pakeha friends; and the last letter I received from him was a touching expression of thanks for what I had written in advocating the claims of Taranaki and Waikato to pakeha assistance in their efforts to become successful farmers.