?6 Transactions. — Miscellaneous. 



their work and to adjourn to the pa to listen to whatever he might have to say. 

 " No," replied Apoka, " my husinessis with jon alone, let the men continue 

 their work." The two then visited the tuahu, where they performed certain 

 rites, and then retired to the veranda of the chiefs house, where one of his 

 wives had arranged some food for the refreshment of the visitor. Tu te 

 uretira blessed the food, and then invited his cousin to partake of it, begging 

 him to refresh himself, and then tell him his business before the people 

 returned from the field to prepare a feast in his honour. Apoka bent his 

 head a long time in silence, and then said, " I am stupefied, I am amazed at 

 the variety of food;" then pointing to each basket before him in succession 

 he asked what they contained. He then resumed his silence, and fixing 

 his eyes on the ground remained in that position for some hours. He was 

 roused from his reverie by the arrival of the tribe bringing the feast they 

 had prepared, and which they set down in little piles before him. He made 

 the same answer to all their pressing invitations to eat, "I am overcome, I am 

 astonished, I cannot eat." " But how is it," enquii-ed his cousin, "that you 

 who married Ngatimamoe women should express such astonishment at the 

 every-day fare of that people, surely you enjoy the same advantages as 

 myself by your connection with them?" In reply Apoka told him his 

 suspicions respecting his wives, which had received confirmation by what he 

 had seen during his visit. Tu te uretu'a advised him to refer the matter to 

 the elders of the tribe at Wairau who would be only too glad to take u^d his 

 quarrel that they might dispossess Ngatimamoe of "Waipapa. Apoka, 

 satisfied with the advice, rose and returned fasting to his home, where his 

 wives brought him the usual meal, of which he partook, and then retu-ed to 

 rest. To lull any suspicions that might arise respecting the object of his 

 visit to Wairau, he set off for Waipapa early the next morning accom^oanied 

 by a slave bearing his fishmg tackle. The canoes were already launched 

 when he arrived, and all the men were about starting on a fishmg expedi- 

 tion. On seeing him, however, the princiioal chief of the place gave 

 immediate orders that the canoes should be drawn up, and that everyone 

 should return to the pa out of respect to his son-in-law. But when Apoka 

 assured him that his only object in coming was to go with them, and that 

 he would be disappointed unless they went, the canoes were manned and 

 they all started for the fishing ground. Only two fishes Avere caught, and 

 these by Te Apoka. The whole party were much annoyed at their want of 

 success, and regarded it as an ill omen. On landing, his friends begged 

 Apoka to remain and partake of theii- hospitality, but he refused to stay and 

 ordered his servant to bring the fish and to follow him. The first thing he 

 did when he got home was to hang the fish up on the tuahu as an offering 

 to his atua. He then ordered his wives to prepare a quantity of fern-root as 



