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were very beautiful specimens of workmanship. The men gathered the food and stored it in whatas or storerooms, which were attached to every dwelling, and built on tall posts to protect the contents from damp and rats. Besides such natural products of the soil as fern root, ti palm stems, and convolvulus roots, they cultivated the kumera, hue, taro, and karaka. Fish of various kinds were caught during the proper season, and cured by drying in the sun. Wild pigeons, kakas, paradise ducks, and mutton birds were cooked and preserved in their fat in vessels made out of large kelp leaves, and bound round with totara bark to strengthen them. Netting, carving, and the grinding and fitting of stone implements and weapons, occupied the old men, and much of the leisure time of the young. They beguiled the long winter evenings by reciting historical traditions and tribal genealogies, by repeating poetry and fairy tales, and by songs, dances and round games. It was only when they fell ill, or were harrassed by their enemies, that the Maoris of olden time can with any truth be represented as having been miserable and unhappy.

The Ngai Tahu chiefs who exercised the greatest influence over the fortunes of their people in modern times were Te Mai hara nui, Taiaroa, and Tuhawaiki, better known by the whalers’ sobriquet, “Bloody Jack.” All three took a prominent part in the latter history of the Peninsula. Te Mai hara nui was the highest in rank, while his cousin Tuhawaiki came next; but, though slightly superior by birth, both were inferior in mental and moral qualities to Taiaroa, a noble man, whose conduct stands out in pleasing contrast to that of the two cousins. For while they will only be remembered by the story of their cruel and evil deeds, he will always be esteemed for his