W. T. L. Travers.— The Life and Times of Te Rauparaha. 29 
battle, the spear or club in one hand, and the agricultural instrument in the 
other. The women followed. Long before night (it was counted unlucky to 
work till dark) they returned to the hill in a reversed order ; the women, 
slaves, and lads, bearing fuel and water for the night, in front ; these also bore, 
probably, heavy loads of kumera or other provisions. In the time of year 
when the crops, being planted and growing, did not call for their attention, 
the whole tribe would remove to some fortified hill, at the side of some river, 
or on the coast, where they would pass months in fishing and making nets, 
clubs, spears, and implements of various descriptions ; the women, in all spare 
times, making mats for clothing, or baskets to carry the crop of kumera in, 
_ when fit to dig. There was very little idleness, and to be called “lazy ” was 
a great reproach. It is to be observed, that for several months the crops 
could be left thus unguarded with perfect safety, for the Maori, as a general 
rule, never destroyed growing crops, or attacked their owners in a regular 
manner until the crops were nearly at full perfection, so that they might 
afford subsistence to the invaders ; and, consequently, the end of the summer 
all over the country was a time of universal preparation for battle, either 
offensive or defensive, the crops being then near maturity.” This picture 
exhibits a very unhappy condition of existence, for it is manifest that no race, 
in such a position, could ever rise further in the scale of civilization 
(paradoxical as the language may appear) than was sufficient to improve their 
knowledge of the art of war. But, notwithstanding this unsatisfactory condi- 
tion of the tribes, the people appear, in their social and domestic relations, to 
have been, generally speaking, good natured and hospitable, though being little, 
if at all, fettered by conscientious motives or restraints, they were at all times 
easily roused to acts of violence and cruelty. With them, moreover, revenge 
was a most persistent feeling, and the duty of ministering to it was considered 
of sacred obligation. Their love of war was universal and intense, and in its 
prosecution they were as reckless of the consequences to themselves as they 
were of the results to their foes. “Nothing,” says Mr. Manning, “was 
considered so valuable or respectable as strength and courage ; and to acquire 
property by war and plunder was more honourable, and also more desirable, 
than by labour.” Their cruelty to their prisoners was frightful. Cannibalism 
was considered glorious, and this habit led not only to the most dreadful 
atrocities, but also to a degree of callousness, in regard to the sufferings 
inflicted upon others, which appears to be utterly incompatible with, and 
renders singularly remarkable, the kindliness of feeling which they constantly 
exhibited in their domestic relations. It is clear, however, that whatever 
good qualities the Maori possessed in his quiet and social moments were 
utterly lost when he was acting under the impulse of passion. Mr. Colenso, 
in describing their character, particularly alludes to their love for children, 
