396 Transactions. — Miscellaneous. 



In after-life the birth-name is often dropped, and a fresh one is 

 assumed, often bearing reference to some important contem- 

 poraneous event. Sometimes on the decease of a relative the 

 name of the deceased is assumed by the survivor. Often, also, 

 a circumstance or occurrence associated with the sickness or 

 death of a relative furnishes names for those who were about 

 him at the time of his decease. 



I do not think there is any rule observed with regard to 

 names of chiefs or persons of rank. At the same time there 

 are distinctions in names — there are aristocratic names and 

 plebeian names. The " Eangi's " and the " Tu : s " generally, 

 when at the beginning of the name, belong to the former, and 

 such names as etymologically suggest relations to common 

 every-day affairs are generally borne by persons of low degree. 

 This cannot, however, be laid down as a rule. Some of the 

 highest-born and most renowned chiefs have borne names of 

 by no means exalted significance. It may be that the names 

 of many of the men who gained renown as warriors and other- 

 wise were not their birth- names, but merely the names by 

 which they were known during the time they were winning 

 fame by their exploits, and therefore the names by which they 

 chose to be known and spoken of. 



The Maoris did not generally distinguish sex by names. 

 With certain exceptions, any name may be borne by either 

 sex. The exceptions are that names beginning with " Hine " 

 or " Pare " will belong to females, and names compounded 

 with " Tama " or " Tu " would be those of males only. 



The definitive " Te " put before a name adds dignity, and 

 is used as a mark of respect. In metamorphosing pakehas' 

 names into Maori it is usual to put the " Te " before them, 

 where it is probably equivalent to our " Mr." To omit the 

 " Te " in speaking of or addressing a respectable pakeha would 

 show lack of respect, though in familiarly addressing him it 

 may be omitted, and the name itself even may be abbreviated 

 without disrespect. In the case of their own names, those 

 which are preceded by the " Te " certainly mark higher rank 

 in the bearer than those not so preceded. I remember a chief 

 of high rank in the Lake district whose name was Te Kirikau, 

 and in the same place was a little schoolgirl named Kirikau. 

 The distinction, though seemingly trifling, was not really so, 

 the names having different significations. It was quite suf- 

 ficient to prevent any mistake or confusion in their use. 



There is a word sometimes used in greeting a person held 

 in high estimation for his genial and good qualities — " Tauwa." 

 It expresses at once admiration and respect for the person so 

 accosted, also pleasure at meeting. 



In addressing any person, by name or otherwise, the voca- 

 tive " E " is always used. This has led to many mistakes of 



