270 Transactions. — Miscellaneous. 



the phenomena they witnessed. The above scene occurred at 

 Eotorua many years ago. 



The next illustration of the hypnotic power — as I think — 

 of one of the old priests is drawn from the same district. The 

 priest in this case was old Tuhoto, who has been referred to 

 as having been buried for a time during the eruption of Tara- 

 wera in 1886. A very eminent Englishman took part in 

 the seance, but as he has never to my knowledge given any 

 account of it I refrain from mentioning his name, and give 

 the Maori account as related by a well-known chief, formerly 

 of Eotorua, but now dead. Old Tuhoto had for years resisted 

 the efforts of the missionaries to convert him to Christianity ; 

 indeed, I believe he died in the firm belief in his native gods, 

 and never recognised Christianity. It was important that the 

 old man should be converted, for he still had a large following 

 of Maoris, who hesitated to abandon their old creed for the 

 new. x^ccordingly the gentleman that I have mentioned 

 visited the old man at Mokoia Island, Eotorua, and there had 

 an interview with him, using his utmost powers of persuasion, 

 which were great, to induce Tuhoto to come over to the 

 lohakopono, or belief. But without success ; the old man was 

 so wedded to his ancient doctrines that he declined all over- 

 tures. He finally said, " If you can do this I will become a 

 convert." Picking up a dried leaf of the ti (or Gordyline 

 mistralis), he held it at arm's length, and, saying a few words 

 of Maori karakia, invited his visitor to look. Behold ! the 

 leaf was green, as if just plucked from a growing tree. The 

 white man turned away, feeling that he v/as no match for the 

 Maori tohunija. 



That is the story of a Maori eye-witness, and, needless to 

 say, he firmly believed that Tuhoto's power of karakia had 

 effected the miracle. Is not this an illustration of the power 

 of hypnotism as practised by the Maori tohunga ? He was 

 able, by so powerful a " suggestion," to cause his visitor to 

 believe that what he saw was a green ^i-leaf, whereas it was 

 in reality a dry one, the colour of which is brown. 



Many other illustrations of the powers of the old Maori 

 tohunga might be adduced, but time is wanting. I have 

 endeavoured in briefest form to indicate the strength of belief 

 that the Maoris had in the wondrous powers of their priests. 

 Some of their powers are explained by processes which we 

 are only just acquiring some insight into. Others are quite 

 unexplainable at present ; but the time will come when in- 

 vestigation will probably show that what we look on now as 

 absurdities have some foundation in fact, and are the relics of 

 a very ancient system of knowledge. 



