TE RAUPARAHA AND RAN GIHAEATA . 
529 
it was chiefly by their guns they had hitherto prevailed — 
the tribes they fought with not having any — yet even their 
supply was insufficient ; he therefore resolved to imitate 
Hungi, and go to England ; shortly after the battle, a whal- 
ing vessel came to Cookes Straits ; Pehi immediately went 
on board, bidding his followers paddle back and leave him 
there, the Captain had no alternative but to take the Chief 
on with him to England ; he thus secured his passage, and 
was enabled to gratify the ruling desire of his heart, and 
obtain fire-arms, this was in 1824. 
From that time, Rauparaha and his restless companions 
appear to have been constantly at war; after a series of 
engagements, he entirely destroyed the Moa Upoko tribe, 
and took possession of their district ; a war expedition was 
undertaken against Wanganui ; finding the natives prepared 
they were not attacked, he returned and fought with the 
Nga ti apa, at Rangitikei ; encouraged by their success there, 
they went again to Wanganui, and fought with the natives, 
when one of the Nga te rau kawa Chiefs was killed, which 
made Rauparaha very indignant. 
The visits of vessels now became more frequent, and they 
gave power and importance to Te Rauparaha, who managed 
to monopolize the entire trade with them, and become the 
sole channel by which others obtained supplies of Euro- 
pean goods ; various tribes sent him presents of food. Te 
Heuheu, the great Chief of Taupo, collected a large quantity 
of provisions, and brought them to him ; many tribes, of their 
own accord, grew food for his use; he in return sent them pre- 
sents of rum, tobacco, powder, and guns; he thus continually 
increased in influence — all but Nga ti rua nui and Taranaki, 
courted his alliance, still Rauparaha continued his wars ; he 
sent two expeditions against Wanganui, one under Watanui, 
who fought at Rangipo, and there Ega ti ruaka fell. Rau- 
paraha next attacked Putiki, and killed many of its inhabitants 
(some of their bones laid whitening on its plains when I first 
went there, which I collected and buried) ; to revenge this 
reverse, Wanganui raised a war party, and attacked Pa 
Kakutu ; a meteor fell into it whilst they were fighting, 
M M 
