574 Transactions. — Miscellafieous . 



coming of Te Eauparaha. At that time the actual residents 

 numbered about six hundred, or perhaps seven hundred. But 

 the people were more or less broken up, some being at Poro- 

 tawhao, some at Horowhenua, some at Waikawa, and some at 

 Waitaua ; so that the actual residents on Papaitonga did not, 

 perhaps, number more than four hundred. But here let me ex- 

 plain to you. This tribe — the Muaupoko — was at that period 

 very much scattered. They were to be found at Manawatu, 

 at Karekare, then lower down at Totara, and lower down again 

 at Porotawhao and at Horowhenua ; also at Waiwiri, and, 

 following down the coast, at Ohau, at Waikawa, at Waitohu, 

 at Otaki, at Katihiku, at Waimea, and right down to Waika- 

 nae, or even to Porirua on the further side. They were living 

 in detached parties in all these places. When Te Eauparaha 

 came into this district he was allowed to pass down the coast 

 by way of Taranaki unmolested. The Ngatiawa and the Nga- 

 tiruanui agreed to let Te Eauparaha pass through in peace. 

 And so he came on till he reached Wanganui, where Turoa 

 was paramount. Turoa wanted to oppose the progress of Te 

 Eauparaha, but he was powerless, because the great tribes of 

 Taranaki had offered no opposition. So he was allowed to 

 pass through Wanganui. Then he came to Horowhenua, and 

 rested awhile. Thence he explored all the coast as far as 

 Waikanae. From there he went on to Porirua, and even to 

 Port Nicholson. Eeturning from there, he settled on the 

 Island of Kapiti. He came in great force, having with him 

 four hundred followers twice told, some of his people having 

 remained behind at the North. Te Eauparaha's reason for 

 selecting Kapiti as a home for himself and his tribe was be- 

 cause of its security from attack, as it was very unlikely that 

 the tribes would cross the sea to molest him. He also knew 

 that this would afford him a good outlook in case an enemy 

 should be moving about in canoes. 



" After he had established himself there, it occurred to 

 Turoa and Paetahi (chiefs of Wanganui) that they might be 

 able to dislodge him, and they conspired with the chiefs of 

 Muaupoko with that purpose. The Muaupoko sent emis- 

 saries to Wairarapa, to the Ngatikahungunu^^to the Ngatiapa, 

 and to the Eangitane. They all responded, and the people 

 of Wanganui came down to join them. The total number of 

 these forces numbered a thousand twice told. They manned 

 their w^ar-canoes, and made straight for Kapiti. It was now 

 dusk. The Ngatitoa saw them in the distance from Kapiti, 

 but they thought it was only floating timber, for it was then 

 getting dark. When the canoes reached Kapiti the invad- 

 ing force rested on the beach, whilst some remained in the 

 canoes, all waiting for the hour of midnight. Then a dispute 

 arose among the leaders — some were for delaying operations 



