TAPOUKA. 
551 
is for yon gentlemen of the big guns, to say if yon have had 
enough ; we have,, then let there be peace.” 
Thus ended the first, and it is hoped the last, war in 
the north of the Island, between the European and native 
races. However much it may be lamented, we cannot but 
regard it as one of those events which, in the course of 
Providence, has been overruled for the establishment of a 
better understanding between the two, at first, the aborigines 
there were despised, afterwards feared, but at last respected. 
The natives were surprised when they found they were at 
liberty to occupy their former lands, which by their own 
customs had been forfeited ; to this moderation of the 
Governor, is mainly to be attributed the good understand- 
ing which has since prevailed. This war, when contrasted 
with their former savage ones, prior to embracing Christianity, 
is remarkable for the entire absence of unnecessary acts of 
cruelty, and even for many instances of kindly feeling towards 
their foes, which showed most clearly how great a change the 
mild precepts of the Gospel had effected in the native mind. 
The Governor afterwards met Heke, who presented him 
with his green stone mere, which is now preserved in the 
British Museum ; shortly afterwards he began to decline 
in health, and died, it is said, from the effects of a beating 
by his wife, he was only about forty years of age ; his body 
lay in state, decorated in the native style, for some time 
previous to its interment, and was visited by most of the 
natives of that part of the Island. 
Kawiti, the other Chief, died about 1853, having previously 
embraced Christianity, and been baptized. 
Tapouka and Tuhawaiki. 
Tapouka was a great Chief of the Middle Island, the whalers 
gave him the soubriquet of Old Wig, he was celebrated for 
his great cunning, as well as courage ; formerly the Dusky 
Bay tribe was very numerous, it is now all but extinct ; this 
wily Chief adopted the following curious expedient to surprise 
