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The tribes dwelling near Lake Rotorua sometimes sent small parties to visit relatives at Taupo, and again those residing at Taupo at certain periods of the year made return visits to their friends in the Lake district. This went on for a long time in the customary manner till at length a period arrived when those who had journeyed on the paths between the two places were found to remain an unusually long time away from their homes. In fact they never returned at all! Their relations grew greatly alarmed, but could never ascertain the reason for the long-continued absence of their friends, as even the messengers did not return. At last scouting parties were 