Downbs. — Eels and Eel-wetrs. 



311 



After getting all the poles, timbers, and lashings together, it takes from 

 four to six men at least seven days' hard work to construct the simplest 

 form of this pa-tuna. The hardwood stakes of kopuka* are, as a rule, about 

 4 in. in diameter, and they are driven into the heavy shingle from 2 ft. to 

 2ft. Gin. with a sort of wooden maul, called a ta. 



The weir is. as a rule, from 50 ft. to 60 ft. long and about 20 ft. wide, 

 and the work is commenced at the crest of the rapid and continued down- 

 stream. After a number of poles have been driven in, two horizontal 

 timbers are lashed on, one below the other, after which more stakes are 

 driven, it being easier to keep in line with 

 guiding-timbers on top. A long and very 

 heavy totara log, from 12 in. to 18 in. in dia- 

 meter, is then lashed to the stakes at about 

 low-water level, and further held in position 

 by another row of stakes driven at an angle, 

 the top of the stake finishing flush with the 

 inside of the fence (fig. 6). The last post 

 down-stream is clear of the heavy log, and 

 only held by the top horizontal timber, so as 

 not to interfere with the poha sliding up 

 and down. This will be seen in the picture 

 of the fa-tuna on Te Aute-mutu Rapid (see 

 Plate XXVI). 



Considerable judgment was required in 

 setting the fences at the proper angle against 

 the current, and because of care in this 

 matter, combined with good workmanship and position, some pa-tuna 

 took more fish than others. The angle of fences was of the utmost 

 importance, and alwaj^s they ran into the current to a greater or less 

 degree according to the arrangement of the stakes. If parallel with the 

 current, or nearly so, few fish were intercepted, and if at too great an 

 angle the eels escaped through the fence. 



In a close arrangement of stakes, as the pa-tuna at Kauwae-roa 

 (Plate XXV, figs. 1 and 2) a greater angle' is given than in the pa at 

 Te Aute-mutu (Plate XXVI), where the stakes are wider apart. The 

 double fence was only for the purpose of intercepting more fish. 



A bad architect superintending the construction of a pa-tuna was the 

 object of much derision, and his failure was known throughout the district. 

 An unsuccessful pa was always pulled down. 



It is said that when eels travel up-stream they usually take the deepest 

 and darkest water, taking advantage of every help, while lampreys keep 

 close to the edge, especially in swift water. The log with its double row 

 of stakes causes a sort of backwater right up the full length of the weir, 

 and provides an easy passage for the wily tuna, which he is not slow to 

 take advantage of. At the top of the p Auna a sloping rounded log, care- 

 fully smoothed, is fixed so as to turn the eels and cause them to be thrown 

 back by the current, which carries them down into the poha before they 

 regain shelter. At the foot of the weir two posts are driven in about 5 ft. 

 away from the fences, one on either side, facing each other, and strongly 

 braced to the main structure, their object being to hold the poha frame. 



Fig. 6. — Section of large 

 pa -tuna. 



* I believe the name kopuka is peculiar to the Whangamii River natives, the names 

 kanuka and maru being used for the wood (Leptospermum ericoules) in other places. 



