1840 - Polack, J. S. Manners and Customs of the New Zealanders [Vol. I.] [Capper reprint, 1976] - Chapter IX

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CHAPTER IX.

IN one circle an elderly politician was running to and fro delivering a speech, on the necessity of curbing the arrogance of an inimical tribe. On describing the debtor side of the account that existed between them and the enemy, the old orator quivered with rage and ferocity, stamping the ground with his feet, as he turned on either side of the primitive arena, 1 he brandished his well bur-

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nished tomahawk above his head with exciting vehemence, his eyes glared with the fierceness of a demoniac; after exhausting himself for some time, he finished his theme amid reiterated shouts of applause, which this agile councillor appeared to receive with much self-complaisance. He had no sooner replaced himself than another hoary senator arose, whose arguments coincided with Moetara, (the honourable member) who had just spoken. However, remarked this logician, with due deference to the enviable experience that had elicited the last observation, he (the present orator) felt bound to dissent from it, as in the actual number of chiefs slain in the last encounter with the head-eating ruffians, (pukokohua ) the tribe (he had the honour to address) had signally gained the advantage; far be it from him he continued, to add a word that would lessen the just resentment that burned in the breasts of his audience, yet in his hearing, it must never be said, that they were worsted by an enemy, whose ablest warriors could be trounced singly by one of their children, bowing around and raising his short spear about three feet from the ground, alluding to the height and size of the truculent little heroes he had just applauded. We left this gentleman enforcing his arguments by action and gesture as is customary with the native Demosthenes. Another crowded circle of persons were intently listening to the tales and traditions that were being delivered from the

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mouth of an aged priest, whose ready inventions admirably supplied the hiatus produced by forgetfulness or prevarication. These new readings appeared greatly to delight his primitive hearers. This Druid sat at the head of the circle, a space being allotted to him, to aid his narratives by action; some of his allusions heartily tickled his friends, and the old narrator was unable at times to resist shaking his sides at his own drolleries. Another circle was engaged in chanting chorus in the whining, drawling tone, usual to the native chorister, each apparently striving to give the loudest nasal accompaniment possible. In the centre stood the principal solo, who detailed the subject of the song by expressive gestures typifying the emotion of the hero.

Many persons grouped on various parts of the plain, were amusing themselves with strains on the native flute, producing sounds that could never have recalled an Eurydice; children delighted each other by shaking dried calabashes filled with pebbles, emitting a mournful, abominable sound. On visiting these several groups, they struck up extempore effusions in solo, that ended in chorusses, generally descriptive of the Europeans, their residences, adventures in leaving their own country to visit New Zealand, their superiority over the natives as evinced in the construction of their ships, government, clothing, implements, power, &c. These various avocations were suddenly interrupted by the wel-

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come arrival of the evening meal, at which the orators sat down to discuss with a determination as intent as they had uttered their previous speeches. The feast was brought to the several circles by the slaves of each party in small neat (freshly culled) flax baskets, small ones being appropriated to the chiefs, and the larger ones to the freemen and slaves. The display consisted of potatoes, kumaras, fish (fresh and preserved), cockles, clams, muscles, limpets, crayfish, oysters, mutton-fish, turnips, the ti palm, pork, baked and broiled, pigeons in great number, &c.; and a November civic anniversary in Guildhall forms but an indifferent comparison in describing the justice done to the viands, that disappeared shortly after presentation, as if by magic, or the satisfaction the aforesaid sleight of hand (and mouth) diffused among the throng. The usual hospitality of the people at such periods was not forgotten; all strangers who had arrived minus provisions, were amply supplied, and also such as had by previous gluttony devoured the ample quantity they had originally brought with them.

After supper, the previous avocations, that had ceased from the interesting cause just described, recommenced. As the Haihunga was now drawing to a close, the affairs of the tribe were discussed with much interest and animation. Some of the orators exhibited great compass of voice, and commanded attention by bellowing forth their opinions in voices resembling thunder, which might be

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heard at a great distance. This might be attributed to the priming they had just received. The action they employed was also discernible at a distance, from the strong lurid light of the blazing fires, that cast its red gleams on the bold bronze athletic forms that danced with oratorical intensity up and down the circle of the family of the deceased, round which a large concourse had assembled, from the interest all felt in the subject under discussion, of which foreign and internal polity formed the principal themes. The first debate on a future war with a foe whose numbers were small, passed in the affirmative, "without a dissentient voice," until one of the most clamorous of the majority recollected in good time, that though the tribe in itself could be easily subdued, yet they were allied to such powerful friends, who would readily arm in their behalf, that it would be the height of impolicy to make the attempt; this instantly caused the "glorious majority" to sink rapidly into a "fearful minority," which was the ultimate result of the debate. On some names being rehearsed of valiant chiefs, who would be put into the scale against the valorous assemblage (then debating) who would have rather put the said chiefs out of the scale into their ovens, a large fishing party was next proposed, to take place within six weeks from the time of the Haihunga, (a kind of annual Hegira among these people, ) this was carried in amity; some angry discussions

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arose as to the number of slaves each head of a family should take to the scene of action, but this was also arranged after some mutual sneers and irritable inuendoes. An elderly matron then arose, and requested information respecting the intentions of the Seignory as to the locality of the farms (na mara ) to be cultivated. After pointing out certain districts, which she apprehended as being eligible, she sat down, on which a young lad arose and dissented from the lady; "by planting so near our homes," said he, "our enemies (severally naming the tribes, which he enumerated by marking the tips of his fingers) will look on us as poltroons, that we fear to move from the precincts of our fort; (tiapa no taku pa;) this has been our reproach too long. No, it is better that it be said we fear not to plant in sight of our enemies, rather than the slander we are now reproached with, of not daring to plant but within our fences." After this substance being repeated several times, the speaker sat down, when the old magician, who by a sentence had changed the majority into a minority, arose, and after running up and down the ring, collecting his thoughts, commenced in a low tone. This wary politician suggested to the worthy audience the truism, that "discretion is the better part of valour," and though individually averse to allow an inch of ground in favour of their cowardly foes, yet, according to his experience, he must observe, that the potatoes were equally excellent, whether

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planted close to the fort (pa ) or at a distance. The Indian corn they had tasted that day lacked not its usual sweetness from having been produced on friendly ground, and he felt bound to add, that the Kumaras served up at supper had diffused among the present company unalloyed satisfaction, at least he spoke from his own internal feeling, and believed, (looking around him) from that felt by his audience; and though he (individually) burnt with a desire that scarcely admitted of repression, (here he raised his voice in alto, the pitch ascribed to Stentor,) to annihilate at one fell swoop the enemy, who were an absolute excrescence to any well behaved community, yet the planting of provisions in their vicinity was not the method prescribed by their ancestors to punish an enemy. "No," continued the excited narrator, "when their warriors, slaves as they are, are absent at the coast fishing, or when the greater number are planting inland, which we can always ascertain, then we shall be enabled to obtain our desires, then shall we have payment (utu) for the loss of our warriors." (naming certain chiefs who had been slain in former years, while engaged on predatory excursions.) This expert warrior, whose legs it was reported had done him in earlier days most acceptable service, then detailed a number of mishaps that had befallen the tribe in his remembrance, and concluded by appealing to his friends as to the anxiety he had ever felt to assist in punishing, but certainly not

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feeding the enemy. He voted on the side of the old lady, who felt desirous of reaping what she might plant. It was then arranged that the land last planted on should lie fallow, and some alluvial ground that had been neglected some years, distant yet further from the camp of the enemy, should be put in preparation. The discussions having ceased, the younger portion of the company entertained themselves in dancing, singing, wrestling, running races, squabbling, mock fighting, and real quarrelling. At such periods it is impossible for a native, much less an European, to obtain the least sleep, as the amusements are kept up until sunrise next day, when the company begin to depart. Such of the natives whose villages are inland, take their route, preceded by their slaves, loaded with quantities of provisions presented by the family of the deceased or their friends; to such families whose route is by water, they await the flooding of the tide, and convey their presents into their canoes.