MARRIAGE. 
337 
anger it ended with his making a handsome present of fine 
mats, &c., and giving an abundant feast. 
When the parents thus consented, they usually said, E 
pai ana kia moe korua , ko to tungane kia kanga iho ano 
korua, kanga iho ano kia korua ano. 
Sometimes the father simply told his intended son-in-law, 
he might come and live with his daughter ; she was thence- 
forth considered his wife, he lived with his father-in-law, and 
became one of the tribe or hapu, to which his wife belonged, 
and in case of war, was often obliged to fight against his own 
relatives. So common is the custom of the bridegroom going 
to live with his wife’s family, that it frequently occurs, when 
he refuses to do so, she will leave him, and go back to 
her relatives ; several instances came under my notice where 
young men have tried to break through this custom, and have 
so lost their wives. 
The native term of courtship is he aru aru, literally, a fol- 
lowing or pursuing after. Bopa ,* a declaration of love by 
pinching the fingers. He puna rua , , a struggling of two 
suitors by pulling the poor girl, who became the property of 
the stronger. Tau mau to betroth or promise a girl in 
marriage ; wai aipo , when she is given and resides with her 
husband. 
Every chief was at liberty to take as many wives as he 
pleased ; if he had several, they were called the hoahoa of 
the head wife, the usual number was from two to six, seldom 
more, and in many cases only one, especially amongst the 
lower orders ; the number of wives added to the husband’s 
importance, each having her own mara, or farm, and re- 
tainers, according to her rank; and furnishing her share of 
the supplies for the establishment. When a chief had several 
wives, he could then entertain guests without fear of scarcity, 
and this was a sign of greatness. When a man left home 
on a long journey, he repeated a karakia over his wife, that 
* Rofia is probably derived from Ro, the praying mantis, and pa to touch : 
this insect pinches those who touch it with its fore legs, which are covered with 
spines. If a married woman sees one, it is regarded as a sign of conception. 
Z 
