Chap. III.]
AWARA.
69
1841
August. obliged to purchase some of a chief named Awara who was quite prepared to resist their being cut down, as in former years, for only a trifling payment. But now, muskets, and these only, were required for the trees, and without them we should not have been able to have obtained a single spar, except by force, which in the then temper of mind of the "Maories" would have led to serious results. As soon as Awara found his demand for two muskets for the spars was agreed to, he became more civil and obliging,—pointing out the best trees, and the most easy mode of getting them to the water; for although of course our carpenters were of the party, the chief proved that his selection of the trees as they were growing, was invariably better than theirs, after being cut down. He returned with Lieutenant Bird to the ships to receive the promised payment, when it appeared that his two muskets meant a double-barrelled gun, which they all seemed most desirous to possess; but as those we had on board were the private property of the officers, who of course were most unwilling to part with them, Awara was at length well satisfied with two rifles and a complete suit of lieutenant's uniform, which the officers furnished him with, and which he immediately put on, to the amusement of our sailors, and his great delight. I have not seen his name mentioned amongst those who have been engaged in the recent hostile transactions in that neighbourhood, and may therefore hope the rifles have not been employed against our
August. obliged to purchase some of a chief named Awara who was quite prepared to resist their being cut down, as in former years, for only a trifling payment. But now, muskets, and these only, were required for the trees, and without them we should not have been able to have obtained a single spar, except by force, which in the then temper of mind of the "Maories" would have led to serious results. As soon as Awara found his demand for two muskets for the spars was agreed to, he became more civil and obliging,—pointing out the best trees, and the most easy mode of getting them to the water; for although of course our carpenters were of the party, the chief proved that his selection of the trees as they were growing, was invariably better than theirs, after being cut down. He returned with Lieutenant Bird to the ships to receive the promised payment, when it appeared that his two muskets meant a double-barrelled gun, which they all seemed most desirous to possess; but as those we had on board were the private property of the officers, who of course were most unwilling to part with them, Awara was at length well satisfied with two rifles and a complete suit of lieutenant's uniform, which the officers furnished him with, and which he immediately put on, to the amusement of our sailors, and his great delight. I have not seen his name mentioned amongst those who have been engaged in the recent hostile transactions in that neighbourhood, and may therefore hope the rifles have not been employed against our
