Page:Reminiscences of Earliest Canterbury 1915.pdf/30

 remember a schoolmaster in the bay who possessed a small magnetic battery. On one occasion he induced some Maoris to join hands and complete a circle whereby all received the shock. They were much excited, and shouted “Taipo!” but lost no time in collecting all the others from the Pah (who were ignorant of what had transpired), and putting them through the same ordeal for their amusement.

The Pigeon Bay Natives had numerous dogs, which they used for pig-hunting. Those dogs were a great nuisance. For example, my father killed a bullock once, and hung it on a gallows, and the Maori dogs devoured almost an entire fore-quarter. My father was so annoyed that the following night he laid poison, the result of which was that he had 24 dogs to bury next morning before breakfast. The Maoris were much mystified over the disappearance of so many of their canine pets in one night, and scoured the district calling on them, and searching for them, needless to say, without success.

Genuine hospitality was characteristic of the early Maoris. Travellers had food prepared for them, and were received with kindness and attention. At the same time