them went Tainui and the whole of the local tribe—men, women and children. They travelled down the coast by easy stages, picking up the natives resident at the Taramakau, Arahura and Hokitika Pas en route. Mackay, known to the Maoris as “Karamea,” travelled in flax sandals, having worn his boots off his feet. He, like Thomas Brunner, had overcome the difficulty of “walking barefoot.”
On their arrival at the pa the usual feast of welcome was tendered to the visitors. This lasted several days, after which the real business of the meeting was commenced. Mackay addressed the gathering at length, conveying to those present the Governor’s greetings and good wishes, and finally offering three hundred golden sovereigns (the canny Scotsman) for their lands, subject to certain reserves being set aside. This offer was accepted, and James Mackay and Mackley, accompanied by some of the leading chiefs, at once set out for Bruce Bay, another forty miles south, where they met some Maori women who had not previously seen a white man. These ladies took a great fancy to Mackay’s English-made clothes, and suggested that he leave them behind him. A quick getaway on his part ended a very embarrassing situation. The necessary reserves having been defined to the satisfaction of the Maoris, they returned to
