W. T. L. Travers. — The Life and Times of Te Rauparaha. 29 



battle, the spear or club in one band, 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. 



