A Modern Hui-te-Rangiora.

A most curious bit of folk-lore this, and one of much beauty when unfolded in full. I have an ancient song enumerating the desirable kinds of knowledge preserved therein, and the chanted farewell of Hine-rangi's father when the maid of this world departed to dwell with Miru in his magic hall.

Hui-te-Rangiora is a greatly honoured name among the Ngati-Maniapoto people. To-day there is a Maori home known by that name; it is the house of Rewi Maniapoto's widow on the south bank of the Puniu River, close to the present main highway bridge, two miles from Kihikihi township. It was the name of Rewi's council-house which stood at Kihikihi over sixty years ago; this carved house, in which the chiefs of the tribe discussed their political policy and other matters of importance, was burned by the British troops when they invaded and occupied Kihikihi in 1864. So present is linked with past, in the traditional poetry and figurative sayings so treasured by the Maori.