Page:Tales-of-Banks-Peninsula Jacobson 2ed 1893 cropped.pdf/25

secured a landed estate elsewhere for themselves, took immediate steps to acquire some part of the Peninsula. The rule they adopted was, that whoever claimed any place first, should have the right to it, provided he went at once and performed some act of ownership there; and also that he should be entitled to as much land around it as he could traverse before encountering another selector. Te Rangi Whakaputa hastened to secure Te Whakaraupo (Port Cooper); Huikai hurried off to Koukourarata; Mango to Wairewa; Te Rua hikihiki landed at Wainui, and commenced at once to dig fern root, and prepare it for food; he then passed round the coast, leaving Manaia at Whaka Moana, and others of his party at Waikakahi, taking up his own permanent residence at Taumutu. Tutakakahikura, one of Mrs Tikao’s ancestors, leaving his sisters and his family at Pohatupa, walked quickly round the coast by the North Head of Akaroa Harbor, and up the shore as far as Taka Matua, and thence round by Parakakariki to starting point. While crossing one of the streams that flow through the present township of Akaroa, he encountered O-i-nako, a Ngatimamoe chief, and a fugitive from Parakakariki. They engaged in mortal combat, and O-i naka was killed, and the stream was ever after known by his name. Te Ake, the ancestor of Big William, landed at the Head of the Bay, and after trying in vain to reach Wainui, owing to the rough nature of the coast, he retraced his steps, and tried to get round the other side of the harbor, but on reaching the grassy slopes between Duvauchelle and Robinson’s Bay, he felt too tired to go any further, and took possession of the point and its surroundings by planting his walking stick in the ground; hence the place obtained the name of Otokotoko (walking stick). Fearing that his boundary towards the south might be disputed, Te Ake begged Te Rangi Taurewa to