52 Transactions. — Miscellaneous. 
ments are so loose that they hardly bear criticism. They neither induce 
nor deduce anything, but weakly mix both lines of argument. Broadly, I, 
with others, think and assert that the Maori originally came from some one 
of the South Sea Islands, and support the assertion by deductive reasoning ; 
pointing, in proof, to the traditions, similarity of language, ete., ete. The 
only other course open is to oppose the assertion, and reason inductively 
fact by fact to any given point, or at least to show that my facts do not 
support the original supposition. The speculators adopt neither course, 
and Mr. Colenso contents himself with asking, ‘‘ Where did Mr. Phillips 
get the idea that the bow and arrow was the familiar weapon of the Maori 
ancestry ?' It will be quite time to ask such a question when Mr. Colenso 
is prepared to show that the original deduction (the migration) is erroneous.* 
I am also surprised at the following sentence contained in Mr. Colenso's 
paper (p. 110) :—'* My own testimony is this (the same indeed as that of 
Cook and others) that the New Zealander never knew the use of the bow and 
arrow, nor of the sling proper. (the italics are his own), as used, for instance, 
by the natives of Tahiti." Such a sentence, without a shadow of proof, 
coming from so great an authority is remarkable. I am quite convinced 
that Captain Cook would never have so committed himself: while I am 
fully prepared to admit that the modern Maori—let us say, since the time 
of Tasman—appeared to know nothing of the bow and arrow, I cannot, 
nor do I think any one else will, agree in saying that the ancient New Zea- 
lander, the immediate descendant of one of the partakers in the migration 
to which tradition so definitely points, was also in a similar state of igno- 
rance. Indeed I am inclined to take quite the opposite view, and say that 
the New Zealander did once know the use of the bow and arrow, and I shall 
endeavour to prove so grave a statement. That proof will be as follows :— 
Polynesia may be roughly divided into East and West. The Western tribes 
(Papuan and Malay) used and still use the bow and arrow as a weapon of 
war. The Eastern tribes (Malay) used and still use it either sacredly or in 
sport. The Maoris evidently came from the East. On landing they found 
little use for their sportive weapon, the remembrance of which perhaps, and 
not the weapon itself, they alone brought with them. They consequently 
soon abandoned its manufacture. In their original home they had never 
been accustomed to see the bow and arrow used, except sacredly or in sport. 
A few tribes, in shallow waters, upon coral reefs, used and still use the bow 
and arrow for shooting fish, but there were no coral reefs, with like advan- 
tages, to be found in New Zealand. I am, therefore, entitled to consider 
* See note A, 
