W. T. L. Travers.— The Life and Times of Te Rauparaha. 69 
ascent of the river. These were immediately sacrificed to the manes of 
Keremai, after which the whole body returned with all speed to Taupo. 
Before the return of Whatanui and his people to Kapiti, that place had been 
visited by some European whale ships, and Rauparaha at once traded with 
them for guns and ammunition, giving in exchange dressed flax and various 
kinds of fresh provisions, including potatoes. I may mention that until the 
arrival of the Ngatitoa the potato had been unknown in the Manawatu 
district, but at the time I now speak of it was extensively cultivated between 
that place and Taranaki, and formed one of the staple articles of food of the 
natives. He had no sooner obtained a supply of fire-arms and ammunition 
than he resolved to carry out his long-conceived intention of invading the 
Middle Island, a design in which he was greatly aided by the capture of the 
war canoes which had been abandoned by the allied forces after the battle of 
Waiorua ; but, although he at once made preparations for carrying out his 
project, he postponed its actual execution until after the return of Whatanui. 
Shortly before the visit of the ships with which Rauparaha had carried on his 
trade, Te Pehi, observing one passing through Cook Strait, went out to her in 
a canoe, and, having managed to conceal himself until the canoe had left her, 
he succeeded ultimately in reaching England, his design being, like that of E 
Hongi, to obtain a supply of fire-arms and ammunition. His visit to England, 
where he was known under the name of Tupai Cupa, evidently a corruption 
of Te Pehi Kupe, is described in the volume for 1830 of “The Library of 
Entertaining Knowledge.” We are enabled by means of this incident to fix 
the dates of some of the principal events in Rauparaha’s career, for we know 
‘that it was in 1826 that Te Pehi managed to secrete himself on board the 
vessel above referred to. ‘ 
_ Rauparaha’s immediate designs were in the meantime somewhat interfered 
with by a rupture between a section of his people and the N gatitama, 
under Puaha, some fighting taking place, which resulted in loss to both 
sides; but he at once peremptorily ordered peace to be made, an order 
which was obeyed by both sides. It seems that this dispute arose out of the 
occupation of some of the conquered land, which was claimed by both parties, 
and Waitohi, a sister of Rauparaha, foreseeing that constant disputes were 
likely to arise from the same cause, more especially when their numbers were 
inereased by the expected arrival of the main body of the N gatiraukawa, 
unless there was some definite arrangement as to the division of the country 
between them, suggested to Rauparaha that the Ngatiawa should all remove 
to Waikanae, and should occupy the land to the south of the Kukutawaki 
stream, whilst the country from the north bank of that stream as far as the 
Wangaehu should be given up to the N gatiraukawa. This suggestion was 
adopted by all parties, and it was determined that the Ngatiraukawa, already 
