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Hawke’s Bay, where, he said, there were a number of boats to build. He then went and lived at Pakawhai, on the Ngararora River, where he resided with the Natives at a big pa and built many large boats. The Maoris thoroughly appreciated his skill, and a Rangitiera named Tokamanu, who was afterwards one of their representatives, wanted to give his sister to “Chips” as a wife. The Rev. Colenzo, however, opposed this, and so enraged Tokomanu that he threatened to burn the church and return all the Maori Testaments. “Chips,” however, who was not particularly enamoured of the lady, persuaded the enraged chieftain to listen to reason, and his sister was bestowed on another Maori.

About this time Bloody Jack came on a visit to Te Hapuka, a great Maori warrior living in the vicinity, who, though not of a high Maori lineage, had raised himself to be a “Rangitiera nui” by his bravery and skill in warfare. Bloody Jack came across the straits from Akaroa in a big boat called the Mary Ann, which was the identical vessel for which he had sold the Peninsula to Hempleman. On leaving Ahuriri he presented the boat to his host, Te Hapuka. Now, this gift was not such a very great one after all, for the native vessel had fallen into terrible disrepair, and was perfectly useless without it was skilfully mended, an operation involving special knowledge. But Te Hapuka had seen what “Chips” could do, and in his difficulty had turned to him. He had of course heard all about Tokomanu’s sister, and knew “Chips” had no wife, and, being a wily savage of an economical turn, he offered to provide “Chips” with a female companion if he mended the boat. Three girls from Mohaka happened to be visiting at the pa, and he gave “Chips” his choice of the lot. Now this, to say the least of it, was a trifle arbitrary, for he had no right to either of them, and two were “tapu” to