Smith. — On Maori Nomenclature. 407 



Exception has also been taken to the retention of Maori 

 names on the ground that the significations of some of them 

 must be classed as unmentionable in refined society. It must 

 be acknowledged that this is true, but I think it is scarcely of 

 sufficient weight to require the relegation of the offending name 

 to oblivion. We have sometimes to speak of matters in referring 

 to which we find it convenient to drop the vernacular and 

 resort to a dead language for words which may be used with- 

 out offence to ears polite. We are in the daily habit of using 

 w T ords and names without conscious recognition of their deri- 

 vation or original signification. Many of these offending 

 Maori names also are still, and probably will continue to be, 

 in use in happy ignorance, and furnish instances where 

 "'tis folly to be wise." In others, as in the case of the place 

 called Marton, near Eangitikei, the original name has been 

 banished in disgrace. 



In any attempt to trace the origin of the Maori names of 

 places in New Zealand fewer difficulties may be anticipated 

 than would be met with in the case of most other countries. 

 It may be regarded as certain that such names have been 

 given by the Maoris themselves since their coming to 

 these Islands, and are therefore (as names of places in New 

 Zealand) not older than the period during which they have 

 been here — about six hundred years. 



Even if these Islands were inhabited by another race before 

 the Maori made his appearance (a supposition which rests on 

 very slight foundation), it is not probable that any of the 

 belongings of such a race could have survived themselves 

 without leaving some trace in Maori tradition. No such trace 

 has been found, and if any older race ever existed their names 

 must have been lost with themselves. The inquirer into the 

 origin and signification of a genuine Maori name will not 

 therefore be baffled by the presence of a foreign element such 

 as would be met with in a similar investigation in the case of 

 a European name. 



Johnsonville, for instance : The first step is easy — John- 

 son's villa ; second step, the villa of John's son : but, should 

 we Avish to go further, for "John " we must go to Palestine, 

 for " son " to India, for " ville " to France or Eome. 



It is more than probable that many of the names given by 

 the Maori to New Zealand localities are those of places in a 

 former home of the race. Others may have been given to 

 preserve the memory of some important event or incident in 

 the life of some person whose name, doings, or experiences are 

 thus handed down to posterity. It was the practice of the 

 Maori in the olden time to compose waiatas, or songs, which 

 recited such events, and were sung at public gatherings. They 

 often recounted the famous deeds of an ancestor. Some of 



