326 
TE RAUPARAHA AND RANGIHAEATA. 
engagements, he entirely destroyed the Moa Upoko tribe, and 
took possession of their district. A war expedition was under¬ 
taken against Wanganui; but finding the natives prepared, they 
did not attack them, but returned and fought with the Nga ti 
apa, at Rangitikei. Encouraged by their success there, they 
returned to Wanganui, and fought with the natives, when one 
of the Nga te rau kawa Chiefs was killed, which made Rau- 
paraha very indignant. 
The visits of vessels now became very frequent, and they 
gave power and importance to Te Rauparaha, who managed 
to monopolize the entire trade with them, and to become the 
sole channel by which others obtained their supplies of 
European 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 presents of mm, tobacco, powder, and guns. 
He continually increased in influence—all but Nga ti rua nui 
and Taranaki, courted his alliance. Still Rauparaha con¬ 
tinued his wars. He sent two expeditions against Wanganui, 
one under Watanui, which fought at Rangipo, and there Nga 
ti ruaka fell. Rauparaha nextat tacked 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 Pakakutu. A meteor fell into the pa whilst they 
were fighting, which was considered such a favorable omen for 
the besiegers, that the defenders were disheartened, and the 
place was taken. Rauparaha was hemmed in on every side, 
and narrowly escaped being captured. 
About this time, Pehi returned from England, having 
obtained from the thoughtless kindness of those who there 
saw him, a large collection of guns and ammunition. 
Kekeringa, a noble-looking Chief, who was celebrated for 
his very fine moko, had gone to reside at Arapawa, where he 
was murdered by the Ngaitahu. Being a great favorite of 
Rangihaeata, although he had fled on account of his not having 
conducted himself with propriety towards that Chief’s wives, 
