382 EEPORT— 1891. 



She rose up in the water 

 As beautiful as the wild white hawk, 

 And stepped on the edge of the bath 

 As graceful as the shy white crane. 



^' And he threw his garment over her, and they proceeded to 

 his liome, and she became his wife." 



The chief who committed this tradition to writing winds it 

 up with the following words : " Never yet have the lips of the 

 offspring of Hinemoa forgotten to I'epeat the tale of the great 

 beauty of their renowned ancestress, and her brave deed in 

 swimming over the lake to Mokoia." And, we may add, nor 

 will the race that has succeeded to their inheritance at Eotorua 

 €ease to cherish the memory of that romantic story, which will 

 for ever grace the pages of this country's history. 



Another charming story is that of Te Ponga's love for 

 Puhihuia : — 



The tribes of Waikato were at war with the tribes who 

 occupied the country around Auckland Harbour. Battle after 

 battle was fought without any advantage being secured by 

 either side. Wearied out at last, they mutually agreed to 

 make peace, and one of the fiercest of the Waikato warriors 

 undertook to arrange the terms. Accompanied by a large force 

 he entered the enemy's fortress, which occupied the summit 

 and slopes of Mount Eden. He was welcomed in the usual 

 manner, and after the complimentary speeches were over a 

 great feast was held. In the evening the residents entertained 

 their visitors by dancing and singing before them. The young 

 daughter of the chief of the town, watching a good opportunity, 

 bounded forward to display her skill in daiiciug. The strangers 

 were overpowered by her beauty, and Te Ponga, their leader, 

 ^' felt his heart grow wild with emotion when he saw so much 

 loveliness before him." The visitors, in their turn, gave an 

 exhibition of their skill, on which occasion Te Ponga acquitted 

 himself with such grace as to win Puhihuia's admiration. A 

 passionate attachment sprang up between the two. Te Ponga, 

 unaljle to sleep for his great love for the maiden, lay tossing 

 all night from side to side, devising scheme after scheme by 

 which he might secure a private interview with the maiden 

 and disclose to her his love. His slave, noticing his restless- 

 ness, sought the cause ; and, on being told, made the following 

 suggestion : " To-morrow, at nightfall, as you sit in the court- 

 yard of your host, feign to be very thirsty, and call loudly for 

 me to fetch you some water. I will keep well away ; and do 

 you continue to shout angrily to me, ' I want water. Fetch 

 me water.' Call so that the father of the young girl may 

 hear, and he will certainly tell her to fetch you some. Then, 

 rise and follow her as if in search of me." Te Ponga carried 

 •out his servant's suggestion, which resulted as he had autici- 



