232 Transactions. 



when scutched and prepared for use. Hence the former term is applied 

 to a rough cape {for a), and the latter to a fine garment of dressed fibre. 



Local Natives say that an edible variety of flax formerly grew at Tieke. 

 in the Rua-tahuna district. The leaves were dark-coloured, with reddish 

 edges. The base of the leaves was eaten. This plant has disappeared. 

 In this connection, I take the following from a newspaper item : " Mr. 

 McGregor said that there is an edible variety of flax in the Taupo district. 

 It is called kopakipaki-ika by the Natives. The main root grows to a great 

 length. It is white in colour, and resembles celery outwardly. It has a 

 sweet taste, which is a contrast to the bitter taste of the ordinary flax." 



Natives profess to know two sexes of the oue variety of flax. They state 

 that the leaves of the male plant are more pointed than those of the female 

 plant. The latter leaves are shorter, and do not give so long a fibre. The 

 edges of leaves of the female plant are a light-reddish colour {puwhero). 

 Leaves of the male plant have reddish streaks, called kakaka, in them, as 

 you see light-coloured streaks in a leaf of toi {Cordyline indivisa). The 

 fibre produced by the female plant is white and soft, that of the male is 

 somewhat harsh and has a reddish tinge {ma pmvhero). 



The Natives, in former times, often planted the commoner varieties of 

 flax near their dwellings, as the leaves were much used in the manufacture 

 of small baskets to hold cooked food, which baskets were used but once. 

 The varieties producing better fibre were planted usually at the edges of 

 cultivation-grounds. A plant would be divided and the fans planted out 

 in the fourth month of the Maori year — i.e., in the spring. It was considered 

 necessary to put two plants in each whawhama or hole dug for the purpose. 

 It was unlucky to plant an odd number {Mchemea ka kehe, he aitua) — the 

 plants would not flourish. Such a flax-plantation is termed a pa fiarakeke. 

 The ground around the plants was kept clear of weeds. Any old leaves 

 were cut away so as to promote a more vigorous growth in the plant ; also, 

 if the young leaves were considered too nu,merous, some of them would be 

 cut out. Long rows of cultivated flax were seen at Aotea by early settlers. 



The withered outside leaves of a flax-plant are termed pakaivha. The 

 half-dressed hukahuka or thrums of a pokeka (rough cape) are known as 

 pureke. 



In former times the Maori had some curious ideas regarding flax. When 

 making a flax- cultivation — i.e., setting out plants to form a pa harakeke — 

 the planter was careful to note what particular wind was blowing at the 

 time ; for when the flax was grown, and it was desired that use be made 

 of it, then it was considered to be necessary to cut the leaves when the same 

 wind was blowing as when the flax was planted, otherwise the fibre in the 

 leaves would be found to be of a very unsatisfactory quality — short, weak, 

 and brash. And if a person went to the owner of such a flax-grove and 

 obtained permission to take some of it for his own use, his next question 

 would be, " He pehea te hau i rumakina ai taua harakeke ? " (What was 

 the wind when that flax was planted ?) And if such wind was not prevailing 

 at the time, then he would wait until it did before cutting the flax. Now, 

 if a person went to steal some cultivated flax, he would try the condition 

 of the fibre in a few leaves. Should the fibre prove to be poor as to length 

 and quality, he would know that he had gone a-thieving during the wrong 

 wind. Hence he would wait until the wind changed, when he would try 

 again. When he found that the flax gave a long, strong, desirable fibre, 

 he then knew that he had hit upon the right wind — the wind that obtained 

 when the flax was planted. 



