Corzxso.— Oii à better Knowledge of the Maori Race. 185 
187. He manga-a-wai koia, kia kore e whitikia ? 
Is it indeed a big river, that cannot be crossed. 
A saying often used, meaning: It is as nothing, why make such a fuss 
about it. 
XI. Against BEGINNING Wan, ETC. 
188. He kai kora nui te riri! 
War (is like) a devouring fire kindled by a spark. (James, m. 5.) 
189. Ka tahuna te ururua ki te ahi, ekore e tumau tonu ki te wahi i tahuna atu 
; kaore, ka kaa katoa te parae. 
When the tangled fern and shrubs are fired, (the fire) will not always 
be fixed in the place of firing, but will burn up the whole open 
country. 
Meaning: The sure extension of warfare. 
140. Kei uta te pakanga, kei tai te whiunga. 
Though the fighting is begun inland, the spreading and finishing 
will be at the sea, or sea-side. 
Lit. Inland the fighting, at sea-side the Ea 
Meaning : In war the innocent suffer for the guilty. 
141. E tae koutou ki uta, kei mau ki tai ki Tu, puhia he angina! e mau ki tai ki 
Noho, ma te huhu e popo, e hanehane. 
When you reach land, do not hold with the fighting-side, or you will 
be blown away as thin air; but hold with the side of Peace, 
that you may live long and die naturally. 
Lit. When you land, do not hold to the standing-side (or the side of Tu 
= god of war), blown away, thin air; but hold to the sitting (or quietly- 
dwelling) side, for the worms gradual day and skin disease. 
This is a difficult sentence to render into English ; but it is well worth 
preserving on account of its alleged antiquity. It is said, in their legends, 
to be the parting advice of an old chief, at * Hawaiki," named Houmai- 
tawhiti, to his sons, on their leaving “ ANIM for New Zealand. Of 
course, the meaning is, ** Hold fast to peace." 
N.B.—Note the opposition in the words Tu and Noho; Tu, standing, 
and restlessness — War; Noho, sitting, and settledness — Peace. 
142. E horo ranei i a koe te tau o Rongomaitakupe ? 
Canst thou level the rocky ridge (or shoal) of Rongomaitakupe ? 
Meaning: Canst thou cause peace when war begins ? 
Rongomaitakupe is an extensive shoal or ridge of rocks, on which a 
terrible surf is always breaking. Here one is reminded of similar questions 
in the ancient Eastern book of Job, respecting the taming of Behemoth 
and Leviathan. 
