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northwestern extremity of the lake; it is a famous old Maori Pah; 
famous for its inhabitants, and famous for its warm baths. At a 
distance of three miles from the village , my Maoris had kindled a 
big fire upon the height, the smoke of which, according to Maori 
custom, announced our coming to the inhabitants of the Pah, the 
chief of which had previously invited me by letter to pay him a 
visit. We hastened past the hot springs of Wakarewarewa , and 
made straight-way for the Pah. Pini te korekore, the gallant 
chief of Ohinemutu, accompanied by his special friends, came forth 
to meet me with due solemnity. He was dressed in a fine Euro- 
pean suit, had a cloak wrapped about him, a straw-hat upon his 
head, and carried a white flag in his hand with the inscription in 
blue letters: u Sancta Maria , ova pro nobis” After we had approached 
each other within about 20 yards, he stopped. Bowing very low, 
and taking off his hat, he shouted to me with a loud voice the 
usual salutation: “haeremai” (come). I went, shook hands with the 
chief, exchanging some complimentary words, and then was con- 
ducted into the Pali. I found the tent pitched, the meal ready; 
for such is Maori custom. When they see from afar friends or 
strangers coming, the women of the village commence at once 
peeling potatoes, and by the time the ceremony of salutation, 
accompanied by the usual Tangi (cries of lamentation) , is over, 
the dinner is ready. 
Pini te korekore upon better acquaintance became extremely 
talkative. He had heard of the solemn reception, which the Ro- 
man Catholic Bishop Pompallier — his master — had been honoured 
with on the occasion of his visit on board the Novara in Auck- 
land, and was very anxious to have me relate to my friends that 
he — a pupil of the Roman-catholic mission school — had come 
to meet me witli the catholic banner. He was about thirty years 
of age, had only the lower part of his face tattooed , and had, both 
in his exterior appearance and manners, adopted a great many of 
the peculiarities of his French masters. Till late in the evening 
he continued telling me of the country and its inhabitants, and of 
the murderous wars and bloody fights, that were fought here. 
