THE TRAIL TO THE RANGES 93 



Another misunderstanding on the same spot and its consequences 

 the visitation of the sins of the fathers upon the children by Laud 

 Courts of modern days is to be found in the story of Waiatara and 

 Takirau. 



Waiatara was the name of a chief of the Ngati-moe, who lived at 

 Kokopuru. His great friend, Takirau, was a chief of the tribe called 

 Ngati-pahau-wera, whose headquarters were at Mohaka. 



The district in which Waiatara lived was noted for its fat pigeons 

 and tui. Takirau's district, on the other hand, was famous for its 

 supply of kahawai, mango shark and other fish. 



In token of friendship and goodwill between the two chiefs, it 

 was their custom to make, from time to time, an exchange of food 

 Waiatara sending preserved birds, and Takirau returning the com- 

 pliment with dried shark and kahawai. 



Now it happened on one occasion that Takirau's followers made a 

 visit to the Heretaunga district. On their return they stopped at 

 Tutira, Takirau himself not being with the party. His followers, men 

 of Belial, remembered the delicious preserved birds that Waiatara used 

 to send to Mohaka. They visited Waiatara's kainga at Kokopuru, tell- 

 ing him that Takirau had sent them. Believing their tale, Waiatara 

 readily handed over to them taha calabashes filled with birds pre- 

 served in their own fat. They carried these off to their camping-place 

 at Tutira, but it was with covetous eyes that they gazed upon them. 

 The temptation was too strong. They opened the taha and devoured 

 the whole of their contents. 



Arriving at Mohaka, and there meeting their chief Takirau, the 

 various incidents of their journey were related, with the addition that 

 while at Tutira they had approached Waiatara to see whether he could 

 spare any preserved birds ; not only, however, had he refused to supply 

 any birds, but had uttered many rude curses upon Takirau and his people. 



Takirau's anger was kindled at this uncalled-for insult, and he 

 decided to form a raiding-party to seek utu or revenge. 



It arrived at Tutira, and next day made an assault on Waiatara 

 and his followers at Kokopuru pa. Waiatara was bewildered ; he could 

 not understand why his great friend Takirau should attack him in this 

 way ; finally, at the instance of onlookers, a truce was called, explana- 

 tions demanded, and Takirau was convinced that he had been a victim 

 to the covetousness and deceit of his people. 



