Page:Tales-of-Banks-Peninsula Jacobson 2ed 1893 cropped.pdf/26

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Maori History.
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cross over in his canoe to a headland he pointed out, and there to hold up his white whalebone weapon, while he himself stood at Otokotoko and watched him. His friend did as he was requested, and the headland has ever since been known as the “Peg on which Te Rangi Taurewa’s patu parao hung”—south side of French Farm. The beach below the point was called “The shell of Hine Pani,” after some Maori lady who found a shell there, which she greatly prized.

Some years after these events took place, another section of Ngai Tahu, under the command of Te Wera, a fiery warrior, destined to play an important part in the history of his tribe in the South, came in search of a new home. They landed at Hikurangi, but finding that the place was already occupied, they sent to Whaka Moana for Manaia, a chief of very high distinction, the Upoka ariki, or heir to all the family honors of more than one hapu in the tribe. On his arrival, a war dance was held in his honor, and there was much friendly speechifying. Te Wera, after indulging in some rude witticisms on the personal appearance of their “squint-eyed lord,” extended his right arm, and called upon Manaia to enter. Manaia rose up and passed under his arm, and so peace was confirmed between them; but, to cement their friendship still more firmly, Te Wera gave Irakehu, grand-daughter of Te Rangi Whakaputa, to Manaia in marriage, and she became the ancestress of Mr. and Mrs. Tikao, Paurini, and the other chief persons in the Maori community here. Te Wera and his party then sailed away to the South, and established themselves for a time near Waikouaiti, where they were as much dreaded for their ferocity by other sections of their own tribe as by the Ngatimamoe, whom they were trying to exterminate.

For many generations the Maoris on the Peninsula remained in peaceful occupation of their new