80 



TUTIRA 



Eukutoa, we reach the point of the long ridge Paopao-a-Toki, the 

 northernmost ridge on the east shore of Tutira. About it were the usual 

 signs of ancient settlement, levelled sites of huts, scattered tufts and 

 patches of the native grasses already named. None of my informants 

 know anything of the spot beyond the fact that tradition avers that 

 men had dwelt there in very ancient times. It may have been off 

 the shoal Rukutoa history does not specify the exact spot that on 

 one occasion a man named Te Uaha set his hindkis. After a proper time 

 had elapsed he returned to take away his catch. Pulling up the first 



Oporae and Taupunga. 



hinaki, there was no eel in it ; the second wicker pot yielded no better 

 result. When he came to the third also empty failure in the capture 

 of food was always a bad sign, an omen of impending danger he 

 muttered to himself, " he kopunipuni pea i kore ai" "the presence of 

 a raiding party must account for the absence of eels." Now Te Uaha 

 suffered from a growth on his neck which affected his voice, giving it a 

 peculiar guttural sound, which, by the way, my informant Te Hata-Kani 

 imitated in a highly diverting manner. Te Uaha accordingly paddled 

 home, and relating his ill-luck with the hinakis, the usual defensive 

 preparations were made by the tribe. Well, sure enough there did 



