154 
MYTHOLOGY. 
the Patu-paearehe, who gradually abandoned them, and 
that until a few generations ago, they had their favorite 
haunts there. These may be traditions of an aboriginal race 
mixed with fable, and there are several things to warrant 
the idea that the Maori were not the first inhabitants of the 
land. 
The Patu-paearehe were only seen early in the morning, 
and are represented as being white, and clothed in white 
garments of the same form and texture as their own ; in fact, 
they may be called the children of the mist ; they are sup- 
posed to have been of large size, and were regarded as giants, 
although in some respects they resembled our fairies ; they 
were seldom seen alone, but generally in large numbers ; 
were loud speakers, and delighted in playing on the 
putorino, flute ; nursed their children in their arms, as 
Europeans, and did not carry them in the Maori style, on 
the back or hip ; their faces were papatea, not tattooed, 
and in this respect also resembled Europeans ; they held 
long councils, and sang very loud ; were often seen sitting 
in cultivations, which were completely filled with them, so 
as to be frequently mistaken for a war party; but they never 
injured the ground ; the only harm they appear to have been 
guilty of, was that of entering the whare puni, or hot-houses 
of the natives, and smiting the inmates, so that for a time 
they appeared to be dead ; it is only the Mata Kite who are 
now able to discern them ; these quick-sighted gentry were 
not aware of the noxious effects of the fumes of charcoal, 
with which their houses were heated. 
The belief in the Patu-paearehe was general; many de- 
clared they had repeatedly met with them. Albinos are 
said to be their offspring, they are accused of frequently 
surprising women in the bush, but the following is an 
account of a man being caught by a Patu-paearehe lady, 
which is, therefore, very interesting : — 
Kurangai-tuku, a Patu-paearehe, was a giantess in stature ; 
like a tree in height, her fingers and nails were extremely 
long, with these she was accustomed to spear her game, which 
chiefly consisted of pigeons and parrots; one day, when she 
