CUSTOM OF TAPUS, 
2U 
(already referred to at page 84), describing also 
the manner in which we endeavoured to break 
up the system. 
Being on a visit to Takou, a large native resi- 
dence, about twelve miles from Kerikeri, I found 
that the chief, Wata, had gone from home, leaving 
his wife, who was under a strict tapu. All the 
food of which she partook was placed at her feet ; 
when, putting her hands behind her, she leaned 
forward and took up as much as she required, 
with her mouth. At this place, I spoke to five 
parties of natives, and declared to them tlie un- 
searchable riches of Christ. On my return home, 
I met Tit ore, on liis way to Takou : he was carry- 
ing, on a spear, a small stick, as a memento of the 
departed Paru ; and also the sacred food which 
was to be eaten by Wata. He, as the bearer, was 
tapued, and dared not eat until he had delivered 
liis burden into the hands of the person for whom 
it was intended. I offered him the food which 
I had in my pocket ; but he fled from it as from 
the face of a serpent. He however said, that 
I must keep it for him ; and he would call for it 
on his return to the Kerikeri, which would be 
the next day; when he might eat any thing, as 
the tapu would be taken off. 
At length, on the following occasion, cir- 
cumstances led us to attempt to force a passage 
through this most embarrassing system of preju- 
dice. In the month of September, 1829, I went 
down nearly to Rangihoua, intending to visit 
