[54] Waitangi signifies "crying water," and there were many people superstitious enough to believe that the choice of this spot was a bad omen.
[55] The man who stands in the centre of the canoe and gives the time to the rowers.
[56] Amongst the Americans present were several of the scientists attached to the United States exploring expedition, under Commander Wilkes, who had assembled at the Bay of Islands to await the return of their vessels from the Antarctic. With the exception of Bishop Pompallier the Frenchmen at the Bay were conspicuous by their absence, believing that in this way they were offering a protest against the proceedings.
[57] This was a clever strategetical move on the part of the Bishop, who, though protesting that he was not concerned in a political negotiation, evidently saw the advantage of utilising the occasion to make an impression on the native mind in the interests of his Church. In his published account of the event Bishop Pompallier makes it appear that the Protestant Missionaries had been circulating the statement amongst the natives that he would not "dare" to put in an appearance at the meeting. He was, however, specially invited by Captain Hobson, and he made the most of the opportunity thus given him.
[58] The name of this priest does not seem to have been preserved.
[59] They were members of the Mounted Police Force which Captain Hobson had brought with him from Sydney.
[60] Rangatira: Chief, gentleman, one in authority.
[61] In his discussions with the Maoris, Bishop Pompallier had stressed the point that he held the advantage over the Protestant Missionaries in that he was a member of the Episcopacy. The best attempt on the part of the natives to render into their own language the word Episcopo, in its varied forms, was "Pikopo," hence the Bishop and his converts became known as Pikopo.
[62] The Revs. Ironside and Warren, of the Wesleyan Mission, arrived at a later hour, with the contingent of Hokianga natives, including Tamati Waaka Nēne; and on the following day they were amongst the witnesses to the signatures.
[63] Authentic and Genuine History of the Signing of the Treaty of Waitangi, by the Rev. W. Colenso.