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Life in Early Poverty Bay

An Emblem of Peace

An Emblem of Peace.

After advancing about a mile a large body of natives was seen coming rapidly towards them, whereupon, they drew together, took to the beach, and hurried back to the boats, the three boys joining them again and claiming their protection. As soon as they had got safely across the river, the natives, all armed, to the number of about 200, followed them across the Waikanae to the point. The boys, recognising the body of Te Rakau, which still lay exposed on the beach, went to it and covered it with some of the clothes which had been given them. Soon after this a single man, unarmed, who proved to be the uncle of Marukauiti, swam over to them bringing in his hand a green branch, which was taken as an emblem of peace. After making him a few presents, they left him and returned to the ship, the boys accompanying them. The actions of the natives were closely watched from aboard the ship. The man who had swum across to them was seen to perform some peculiar ceremonies over the dead body of Te Rakau, which was afterwards fetched across the river, and carried away on a litter. The boys were landed again in the afternoon and were seen to go away with the main body, as they returned by the way by which they had come. The Maori tradition states that Ikirangi and his companions had been out fishing, and that in answer to Tupaea's questions they had told him that the ariki, or principal chief of the district, was Te Ratu. This man was chief of the Rongowhataata tribe, and must have possessed great influence; for afterwards, when coasting along the Bay of Plenty, Cook says, “as far as we had yet coasted this country, from Cape Turnagain, the people acknowledwged one chief, whom they called Te Ratu, and to whose residence they pointed in a direction that we thought to be very far inland, but afterwards found to be otherwise.” There are no direct descendants of Te Ratu now living, but the family is represented by the descendants of his brothers. The Maori tradition also mentions a red garment as having been laid upon the body of Te Rakan to which they gave the name of Te Hinui Tuhuru.