510 Transactions. — Miscellaneous. 



Authorities. 

 At the risk, perhaps, of becoming tedious, and of being ac- 

 cused of repeating matter, I now give the original answers of my 

 correspondents to the questions which I drew up for Professor 

 Fischer ; and I take this opportunity of thanking them for the 

 trouble they have taken. I set out the questions in full, in 

 order that the answers may be fully appreciated, and in the 

 hope that their publication may induce other Maori scholars 

 to send me further information. 



Questions asked by Mr. F. R. Chapman, op Dunedin, for Pro- 

 fessor Fischer, of Freiburg. 

 You are requested to return this paper with answers to these ques- 

 tions, giving all possible details, and stating any facts within your know- 

 ledge besides those touched upon in these questions. 



1. How did the natives make the figures known as hei-tiki, and 

 what was their method of working greenstone ? 



2. In the process did they use chipping-instruments, or was anything 

 done by grinding ? 



3. Are these objects idols or gods, or the portraits of ancestors, or 

 what do they represent ? 



■1. Are the existing lici-tiki the result of the patient labour of modern 

 or comparatively modern people, or are they objects remaining in the 

 hands of the Jlaoris from a former age, the relics of an earlier vanished 

 culture ? 



5. Is such a vanished culture to be inferred as well from these highly- 

 worked objects as from the fine wood-carvings of this race? Is it sup- 

 posed that they came to New Zealand with a knowledge of these ad- 

 vanced arts, or that they have so advanced themselves here ? 



6. Do the natives continue to make these objects ? Do they make 

 them in their ancient fashion or by means of modern appliances ? 



7. Have the Maoris any traditions or superstitions on the subject of 

 or with reference to these objects ? Are individual hei-tiki treated with 

 reverence ? Are they highly prized by Maoris beyond their money value? 



_ 8. Do the IMaoris make other objects in greenstone than hei-tiki, and 

 articles of actual use, such as axes, chisels, &c. ? 



9. How many varieties of greenstone do the Maoris recognise? What 

 are their names and description, and what peculiar use or value has each? 



10. Where is greenstone found in sitil in a virgin state ? Whether 

 in more than one place ? 



11. Is a rusty yellow-coloured nephrite known in New Zealand? Is 

 a peculiar nephrite with thread-like streaks, having a beautiful silky 

 lustre like asbestos, common in New Zealand? 



12. Is the true name of the South Island " Te Wai Pounamu," The 

 Water of Greenstone, or "Te Wahi Pounamu," The Place of Greenstone? 



13. Have the Maoris any traditions as to when they first found and 

 began to work it ? 



14. Have the greenstone objects occasionally seen in other oceanic 

 islands been carried from New Zealand, or is the stone native elsewhere? 



15. Are the greenstone and other hard-stone axes first chipped to 

 shape and then polished, or are they all ground to shape from water- 

 worn stones ? 



16. Can you state any special native customs, superstitions, tradi- 

 tions, or other lore relating to greenstone, or objects of greenstone ? 



17. Was greenstone really the object of Rauparaha's invasion of this 



18. Are there any other traditions of wars on this account ? 



