fortified the island of Kapiti, whence he made daring incursions against the tribes of the mainland. The strong pah of Kaiapohia, in Canterbury, having incurred his hostility, he led an expedition against it, in about the year 1929, and took the fortress after a six months’ siege. The remnant of the Canterbury Maoris who remained to oppose him were defeated at Onawe, as narrated in the note to "Onawe" (p. 257). Subsequently Te Rauparaha was the constant terror of the first settlers at Wellington. His son became a zealous missionary to the tribes the father had devastated.—Napu, sub-tribe. Mere, a stone club. Pah, fortified village. Mana, prestige, reputation. Te Reinga, the “leaping place” of souls; at the extreme north of New Zealand, whence they entered into the lower world.
The March of Te Rauparaha (p. 133).—Kapai, a word of approbation.
Te Heuheu’s Death Song (p. 140).—This typical “waiata,” or wailing song, was composed and chanted in the old days by the great chief, Te Heuheu Tukino, on the occasion of the death of his father, a chief and priest of great mana. The mourner compares the departed chief to a “koko-mako,” or bell-bird, which in the old heathen days was occasionally killed and placed on a sacrificial altar as a propitiatory offering to the gods. The Maori version was communicated to the translator by the composer’s descendant, the present chief Te Heuheu Tukino, who observes of it: “A sacred thing this, for the wailing parties of chiefs only.”
The Noosing of the Sun-God (p. 142).—One old Maori tradition says that Maui, one of the demi-gods, when he strove to bind the swift-rushing Sun, could not prevail till he made a rope of his sister Ina’s hair.—Tirana, Te Ra, Slower, O Sun. Rangi, the sky. Po, the Maori underworld. Eyes of the Kings, the Maoris believed that on the death of very famous chiefs their eyes became stars.
Sir George Grey (p. 197).—Sir George Grey was Governor of New Zealand for terms of several years immediately before and after his governorship of Cape Colony. At a later period he was Superintendent of the province of Auckland, one of the representatives of Auckland city in Parliament, and for two years Premier of the colony.