360 Essays. 



first-born of tlie eldest of the tribe, wbetber male or f eraale, was called ariki 

 (i.e. first-born, beir, bigb cbief, or ruler), and besides Ms bigb rank bad great 

 privileges. Of bim or ber, great care was taken. To bim from bis birtb, 

 being of mucb bigber rank tban bis fatber or motber, it was as if tbe world 

 around was made for bim. In every case tbe eldest cbild ruled all tbe 

 younger cbildren ; and tbey generally promptly obeyed bim. Sometimes, in 

 consequence of tbe will of tbe fatber, or owing to a quiet or retiring disposi- 

 tion, to bodUy deformity or ailment, to want of capacity or of signalizing 

 bimself, on tbe part of tbe elder cbild, or to tbe scbeming daring cbaracter of 

 tbe younger, tbe younger superseded tbe elder, and governed tbe tribe in all 

 ordinary matters ; but not in tbe greater tribal matters. A cbief generally 

 lost bis influence among bis own tribe, if not bis rank, by not asserting bis 

 position and rigbts. Here, as in otber countries, might very soon became to 

 be considered as right. Hence tbe constant exertion and struggle, and tbe 

 difficulties continually arising in tbe daily jostle of New Zealand life. Cbiefa 

 of rank were also known by tbeir tattooing, dress, insignia, and ornaments. 

 Tbe black and wbite tail-f eatber of tbe huia bird, and tbe wbite plume of tbe 

 crane (Jcotickii), were worn by tbem alone in tbe bair; tbe prized tootb (mako) 

 in tbeir ears ; tbe quaintly carved greenstone heitiki suspended on tbeir 

 breasts; and tbe greenstone mere and ornamented hani in tbeir bands; tbese, 

 witb tbeir best mats, of flax, dogskin, and birds' featbers, were all for patri- 

 cian ornament and use. (e.) Poor men and low plebeians, tbougb free, 

 were tbe cbildren of remote lateral descendants of a tribe, especially if tbeir 

 motbers or fatbers bad been slaves. (/!) Successful "priests" and skilled 

 artificers, botb male and female, Avbetber belonging to tbe tribe or not, always 

 gained botb renown and influence, wbatever tbeir proper rank migbt be ; so did 

 tbe brave warrior and fortunate fisber and bird snarer. Tbe " priest," bo wever, 

 lost bis influence tbe moment be ceased to be successful, or to be believed, on 

 wbicb bis success depended ; bence all manner of lying props and stratagems 

 were used. 



(2.) "Witb tbe slave, too, it was mucb tbe same; if skilled, or if active and 

 industrious, and willing to serve bis new masters, be was sure to rise and bave 

 some influence ; wbicb, bowever great bis rank migbt bave been in bis own 

 tribe, be would never again bave tbere, even if be could return. Tbis was a 

 strange and cruel trait in tbeir cbaracter, but it is easily understood wben it 

 is considered tbat bis own tribe attributed bis being enslaved to tbe anger of 

 tbe atua (evil demon), and tbat by bis becoming so be bad lost bis tajpu; and 

 if tbey were to compassionate and restore, tbey too would incur tbe anger of 

 tbe atua, wbicb tbey dreaded above all tbings. Slaves bave been known to 

 rise to very important positions among tbeir new masters ; and, even wben 

 having opportunities to escape, or set at liberty, to cboose to remain and live 



