392 NEW ZEALAND. 



and independent, and who being from their weakness unable to contend 

 by themselves, have become incorporated with other tribes. The 

 reason that the natives give for this diminution is, that Shougi had 

 killed them all. His conquests embraced nearly all the northern part 

 of the north island, whose warriors he then united, and led against the 

 people of the south, about Hauaki, on the river Thames. With these 

 he waged a long and bloody war, and extended the name of Ngapuhi, 

 which properly belongs to the people about the Bay of Islands, as far 

 south as Kiapara. His death, which happened a few years since, was 

 a great relief both to his followers and foes. 



The last war took place in 1837, about two years before our arrival. 

 It was, in all probability, the last native contest that will be waged. It 

 was caused by the disappearance of a woman of Otuiha, whom the 

 tribe of Kororarika were suspected and accused of having killed and 

 eaten. Formidable preparations were made, and the allies on both 

 sides called in ; the people of Kororarika being aided by the forces 

 from Hokianga. The principal battle was fought in a piece of marshy 

 ground between Waikereparu and Otuiha. Here Pomare, better known 

 by the name of Charley, then quite a boy, led the forces of Otuiha, 

 while those of Kororarika were marshalled by Pi, a great chief of 

 Hokianga ; and the fight was terminated by Charley first shooting Pi, 

 and then the second chief, who was endeavouring to save the body, 

 with his double-barrelled gun. The heads of the warriors were cut 

 off, and preserved as trophies, while their bodies were left on the 

 ground. They were not eaten, though the Hokianga people are said 

 to be cannibals. This latter imputation, however, should be received 

 with caution, as the information was derived from their enemies. 



From all I could learn, Pomare is not deemed very courageous, 

 and was not himself engaged in the fight. He is looked upon as quite 

 avaricious, and as a great coward : he is much addicted to liquor. It 

 will, perhaps, excite surprise to learn how he came to exercise the 

 influence he does over his countrymen ; it is entirely owing to his 

 eloquence, by which he is enabled to lead them any where. When 

 Charley was asked the cause of his uncle's influence, he said that 

 Pomare could lead the people wherever he chose ; and to the question 

 as to why he himself was not king, he answered, " Oh, that is maori" 

 (country fashion). 



Some of the gentlemen visited the pa of Pomare, for the purpose ot 

 witnessing his return from a visit to one of his allies. The canoe was 

 seen coming up the bay, paddled by forty-five natives, and on the side 

 of the hill all the people of the pa were collected, shouting, waving 

 their garments, and firing muskets, to welcome their friends. When 



