Smith. — On Maori Nomenclature. 395 



and underwriters, relating to the mysterious fires occurring in 

 steamers and freezing-works now using the charcoal insula- 

 tion ; it will altogether prevent the awful and unnecessary 

 perils to which seamen and passengers are now exposed in 

 steamers using the charcoal insulation ; and will remove the 

 very natural uneasiness which all seagoing people will feel as 

 the danger becomes better known. 



Postscript. — Since this paper was read, a fire occurred on 

 board the iron frozen-meat steamer "Euahine," 370 miles 

 from St. Helena, on her outward voyage. The lower hold of 

 the steamer was insulated with charcoal. On her arrival in 

 the Port of Auckland, New Zealand, Mr. Eose, H.M. Collector 

 of Customs at the port, held an inquiry as to the cause of the 

 fire. The investigation showed that the fire originated in the 

 charcoal-insulated No. 4 compartment ; that much cargo and 

 a large portion of the charcoal insulation was consumed ; that 

 no communication with No. 4 hold had occurred during the 

 voyage ; that the burning charcoal insulation greatly intensi- 

 fied the fire ; that the charcoal fumes nearly suffocated some 

 of the crew ; and that no other cause of the fire could be 

 found than the spontaneous combustion of the charcoal in- 

 sulation. 



Art. LVI. — Maori Nomenclature. 



By T. H. Smith, formerly a Judge of the Native Land 



Court. 



[Read before the Auckland Institute, 5th September, 1802.] 



The subject to which I have presumed to invite your attention 

 this evening, though interesting to myself and probably to 

 others who have some acquaintance with the Maori language, 

 is yet one which, I fear, I may not be able to treat in such a 

 way as to make it interesting to a general audience. I will 

 therefore anticipate failure by asking you beforehand to for- 

 give me should I trespass unduly upon your patience while 

 making the attempt. I propose, then, to say a few words on 

 Maori names. 



The subject seems to fall naturally under three heads — 

 names of persons, names of places, and names of things. 



With regard to names of persons : The first point which 

 appears to me noticeable is that a Maori often bears a great 

 many names in his lifetime. The principal name is, however, 

 given at birth, or, rather, in the case of a male, at the cere- 

 mony which is performed soon after by the priest or tohunga. 



