364 Transactions. 



for wild and fanciful theories as to the origin of the names, built up upon 

 illegitimate and ridiculous guesses at their meaning. It is in matters of 

 this sort that the branches of the New Zealand Institute have one of the 

 most inviting outlets for their energies, and a fruitful opportunity of doing 

 some really valuable work. 



Note. — It is gratifying to learn that steps are being taken to deal with 

 the names in and around Wellington. It is to be hoped that this may 

 encourage others to do likewise in their own districts. Much mutual sup- 

 port will be obtained if investigators can get into touch with one another, 

 and the Institute seems to offer the most suitable means for establishing 

 the necessary communication. 



Art. XL VIII. — Life of the Ngati Kahu-ngunu Chief Nuku-Pewapewa. 



By T. W. DowNES. 



[Read before the Wanganui Philosophical Society, 13th May, 1912.] 



Looking through a fine collection of manuscript waiata with the grey- 

 headed Native owner, and noticing the frequently occurring name of Nuku, 

 an inquiry concerning this (to me) unknown but great chief of the Ngati 

 Kahu-ngunu brought to light the following history. 



When Nuku was a little lad he developed an extraordinary gift for 

 mimicry, which led him into many a scrape, for his fellows did not like to 

 be mocked, and so young Nuku very often had to put up with bruised face 

 and battered limbs ; but the result of this jesting was that he quickly 

 learned to protect himself, and became a great fighter as he developed 

 size and strength. He gloried in his power, till at length none of his people 

 could stand against him, for he was master every time. Even the big 

 fellows and fighting-men had to yield to him, and he soon became the 

 acknowledged leader of his people and captain of the war-parties. 



Now he was a leader he wished to become a tohunga as well, but as this 

 was forbidden him he gained by stealth what he could not obtain by 

 power, for one evening, after dark, he crept quietly into the whare-wana'nga 

 before the tohunga and their pupils came in, and endeavoured to hide him- 

 self in one of the dark comers of the building. Soon the priests came in 

 and commenced reciting their genealogies and karakia, but the fire burned 

 brightly, and before they had gone very far they discovered young Nuku 

 crouching in the corner. It was no good asking him what he was doing 

 there, for they could not turn him out after having heard and seen so much, 

 so they gave him a position near the middle of the house apart from the 

 chiefs' sons, and there he sat with his back against the poutoko-manawa 

 (main pillar of the house). Night after night he returned to his seat, till 

 one evening the seventy students who were under instruction got up one 

 by one to repeat the wanaiiga. However, they all failed to go right through 

 without a mistake until Nuku tried, and lo ! he was able to repeat every 

 word. By this test he again added to his quickly growing fame, and went 

 out a tohunga as well as the chief leader among his peof>le. 



When he had fully reached man's estate his first act was to build a 

 pa strong enough to resist all attacks, and with this in view he chose a 

 point on the Rua-mahanga River, Wairarapa (about two miles from Mr. 

 Morrison's place, and opposite Mr. Wall's station). This naturally strong 



