Page:Tales-of-Banks-Peninsula Jacobson 2ed 1893 cropped.pdf/32

They collected a small war party together, and then made a sudden attack upon Waikakahi, where they killed Puiaiti and Te Moroiti, the latter being a chief of Ngati Irakehu. His death brought the Taumutu people into collision with the greater part of the inhabitants of the Peninsula, and involved them in what proved to be a ruinous struggle with superior forces. They followed up their first attack on Waikakahi by a second a few weeks afterwards, when they killed Te Rangi e pu, another Irakehu chief.

Te Mai hara nui was absent from the district at the commencement of the feud, having gone to Kaikoura to fetch a large war canoe which his relatives there had presented to him. He first heard of the outbreak on landing at Te Aka Aka (Saltwater Creek), where some persons met him, and told him that some of his family had been attacked, and several of them killed. He made no remark to his informants, but when he reached Kaiapoi, a few hours after, he said to his uncles, who resided there, “It is my turn now; Ngati hui kai is there, Ngati hui kai is here, Ngati mango is there, Ngati mango is here; Ngai tua huriri, do not move.” This was an intimation that he would avenge his relatives’ death, and that it was his wish that the Kaiapoi people should not interfere. There was some probability of their doing so, as many Kaiapoi families were connected by marriage with the Taumutu people. Having given expression to his determination, he proceeded on his journey towards Akaroa, followed by about twenty Kaiapoi men. On reaching Wairewa, steps were immediately taken to raise a war party, which was subsequently led by Te Mai hara nui against Taumutu. A battle was fought at Hakitai, which resulted in the defeat of the residents and the death of many persons, amongst whom was the chief Te Pori and several Kaiapoi women. More of the latter would have fallen victims, but