Page:Reminiscences of Earliest Canterbury 1915.pdf/51

 water, he was dead. His tangi was the largest and longest in the memory of the oldest settlers, but it was not by natives alone that his loss was deplored, for he enjoyed the respect and affection of the Whites as well. The boat from which he was drowned was brought from Timaru to Pigeon Bay. It was a fairly large boat, capable of carrying about five tons. It remained for years carefully covered up and “tapu.” When the Maoris left Pigeon Bay they towed it round to Port Levy, where it remained strictly “tapu” until it rotted away.

Let me conclude this reference to Tuhawaiki with the statement that I have read as well as heard different versions of the pursuit of Te Rauparaha. I can vouch for the above being correct, as my recollection of the details furnished my father during the interview referred to is perfectly clear. I cannot fix the date, but I know from my age at the time that it must have been, approximately, in 1845. At this date, 1912, there can hardly be many, either Maoris or white men, who have any personal recollections of Tuhawaiki.

From the preceding pages, the reader will have been able, in some measure, to form