574 Proceedings. 



Maoris were then living. The proposal was taken up by the Maoris with 

 very great enthusiasm. The carving was und rtaken by Wero, Anaha 

 te Rahui, and others of the Ngatitarawhai Tnoe, with several well- 

 known carvers of the Ngatipikiao Tribe. A large sum of money was 

 collected from the neighbouring Maoris, many who were then employed 

 by the Government as militia contributing a fixed proportion of their 

 regular pay. The carving occupied between three and four years, and 

 many of the side slabs were carved from the sides of famous old war- 

 oanoes which had been in the possession of the Maoris for generations, 

 and which had been used against the Tohourangi at Te Anki, and which 

 had been dragged overland into Tarawera Lake. The house was com- 

 pleted about 1871. The principal owner was Te Waata Taranui, elder 

 brother of the late Pokiha Taranui (Major Fox). It was named Rangitihi, 

 after the well-known hero of that name, who, next to Tama-te-Kapua, 

 was the most renowned ancestor of the Arawas. The house was nearly 

 GO ft. long by 25 ft. wide, and had a height of about 18 ft. to the crown of 

 the roof. In 1882 Te Waata died, and was buried within the veranda, 

 or porch, of the house. An elaborately carved tomb, in true Maori style, 

 was put up over the grave. This was subsequently acquired by Sir 

 Walter Bnller, and, after being exhibited at the Indian and Colonial 

 Exhibition, was finally presented to the Trocadero, at Paris. During the 

 eruption of Tarawera the roof of the house was broken in by the vast 

 quantity of mud lodged upon it. The house was consequently taken 

 down and removed to Maketu, with the intention of re-erecting it there, 

 a project which, for want of funds, was never carried out. 



Papers. — 1. "Descriptions of New Native Plants," by 

 D. Petrie. (Transactions, p. 390.) 



2. " On the Volcanic Ash-beds of tbe Auckland Isthmus," 

 by E. K. Mulgan. (Transactions, p. 414.) 



Fifth Meeting: 19th August, 1901. 



Mr. James Stewart, C.E., President, in the chair. 



Professor H. A. Talbot-Tubbs gave a popular lecture, 

 illustrated with numerous limelight illustrations, on " Greek 

 Painted Vases : their Importance, Form, and Design." 



Sixth Meeting: 2nd September, 1901. 

 Mr. James Stewart, C.B., President, in the chair. 



New Member.— A. D. Austin, F.R.A.S. 



Papers. — 1. " On the Recent Statistics of Insanity, Cancer, 

 and Phthisis," by Professor H. A. Segar. (Transactions, 

 p. 115.) 



2. " On the Flora of the District between the Manukau 

 and Waikato," by H. Carse. (Transactions, p. 362.) 



3. "Exhibition of Astronomical Photographs," by A. D. 

 Austin, F.R.A.S. 



