Wars between the Ngati-Awa and Tuhoe.

(From Tuhoe.)

We will now speak of the wars of our fathers and of the old days when [unclear: land] was Held by man, and not as it is in these days, by those who have [unclear: the] longest tongues in your pakeha [unclear: Land] Courts.

I have already told you many of [unclear: the] the ancient legends. How the men [unclear: of] Mataatua became scattered over the land and brought evil among the people of the soil. And of the migra-[unclear: tion] of Mahanga, son of Tnne-atna, [unclear: to] the North; whence comes the saying Mahanga, whakarere kai whakarere kaka"—"deserter of food and canoe'. And how Tuhoe-potiki followed Ma-[unclear: banga] and died far away at Kawhia, [unclear: and] Mura-kareke went to Ahuahu and there perished. How Turi came [unclear: s] the Nukutere canoe, which you call Aotea. And of the desent of our [unclear: tribes] from Toi and of the West Coast [unclear: Tribes] from Rauru, and Whatonga. Also how the Whakatohea held [unclear: ke] and Tawhaki son of Awatop [unclear: and] origin of the Ngai Tawhaki [unclear: tribe] of Ruatahuna, coming from Whakatane and defeating the ancient [unclear: tribes] Ngapotiki and Ngati-ha who [unclear: beld] these lands as far as Maungapo-[unclear: atu] in the brave days of old. And [unclear: how] Tuhoe went against the tribes of [unclear: the] south and attacked the pa of [unclear: Purako] tangihia at Te Tutira which was held by the Whatuiapiti and [unclear: Ngati]-Kurumoki hapus under Tama [unclear: 4-runa] And how the Sons of Ka-[unclear: mugunu] defeated the Ngai-Tuhoe [unclear: t] that place and slew their chiefs koroki and Te Raug-pumamao. And [unclear: new] the wife of Koroki found his [unclear: vered] head and preserved it by dry-[unclear: g] over a hangi and brought it [unclear: ne] to Ruatahuna, placing it in the sacred cave where the heads of Maitaranui and many another old-time warrior are lying.

Kati! All these and many other things have I recited to you and yet yon ask for more! O Son! My fear, lest it be said by you that the descendants of Toi know not the history of their land. Listen!

This explains the expedition of Tuhoe to Maungatautari. The cause of their going; it was this. The fame of the pakeha guns had reached Ruatahuna; that was why Tuhoe went. Each gun they obtained they paid a slave for. Thus they obtained 20 guns and 6 casks of powder. Having become possessed of guns Tuhoe re' turned to Ruatahuna.

Tikitu of Ngati-Awa came to Ruatahuna. He came to inform the Urewera that Ngati-Awa had risen in arms and were on their way to Ruatahuna. Here began this evil work of the men of Mataatua. There was no cause for it. The only reason was the desire of Ngati-Awa to make a name for themselves.

Ngati-Awa came, 150 twice told, they arrived at Maungapohatu. There they took possession of the old pa called I Tine-kai-tangi where they were seen by the Taraa-kai-moana hapu (clan, sub-tribo) of Tuhoe. These people Rent word to the Tuhoe villages that Ngati-Awa were at Maungapohatu. Ngai-Tuhoe assembled. Their chiefs were Te Puehu, Te Ika-poto, Tamarebe, Kai-hapuku. Ruru, Taurua and others. These chiefs marched 400 Tuhoe to Te Kauna and encamped there. They sent forth ten scouts to the pa of Ngati-Awa. On approaching the fort they heard loud cries before them. It was Te Hema of Ngati-Awa calling to Te Wao who was pursuing Te Rua a Kahukura of Tuhoe, and Te Hema cried, "Haehae a tutia, E Wao E!" But Te Rua-a Kahukura fled and escaped his pursuer. Then Ngati-Awa turned to the page 32 little band of scouts. And the chiefs of the men of Awa were six—Ngaurei, Titirahi, Te Wao, Te Taiki, Te Hema, Tauhei, with others of less note. When these chiefs saw the ercampment of the scouts they uttered this saying:—"Ko te potiki a Tamatea.^* mahoki te nui a te nohoanga. Me tango mai nga toa ki mua." The Ngat-Awa then charged on the Tuhoe. Tuhoe were prepared, the guns resounded, and death came. The command of Ngat-Awa was heard "Napihi, napihi, napihia!"^† Te Ika-poto of Tuhoe cried, "Hoatu ki roto, E! Hoatu ki roto."^‡ Again was heard the sound of the new weapons, the guns of the white man. The Ngati-Awa fell. The sur-vivors fled to Rangitaiki and said to the people of that place, "Alas! This is all that remains. We fell upon the battle field of Te Kauna." And the widows of Awa wailed aloud in their grief and relieved their feelings by composing a most elaborate and blood thirsty kaioraora.

And Hatua, a leading chief of Ngati-Awa, said, "We will make peace with Tuhoe," and the survivors of Awa agreed. And Hatua went to the home of Te Ika-poto beyond Ruatahuna and said, "Go you to Ngati-Awa at Rangitaiki." Te Ikapoto went to Rangitaiki, to the pa of Hatua, to Te Kupenga. He saw there the widows of the slain and the hearts of these were hot against Te Ika poto. And the "tatau pounamu" was raised at Ohui. It still stands, has never fallen, even unto this day. So ends this story of old.

And the tohunga of Tuhoe at that time was Paia, who had Riparata, who had Rere-kai, who had Hine-hou.