726 Transactions. 
Kete nikau.—This basket was made from the leaf of the nikau-palm, 
and is the direct representative of the rough baskets made in Polynesia 
sides. The midrib portion formed the upper border, whilst the leaflets 
were treated as wefts already in position and plaited downwards in a check 
stroke for the requisite depth. They were then finished off on the inside 
in a three-ply plait along the bottom. 
ese baskets were made on emergency occasions in the forest, and were 
not nearly so common as their island proto ype. 
Baskets for Cooked Food.—The kono is in shape like a wide-bottomed 
bowl; but though the rim is circular, from the pliability of the material, 
the bottom has four corners. It is about 10 in. in diameter and 3 in. deep, 
the butt-junction, the pressure brought on the wefts, when plaiting, causes 
the butt connection to separate. This is prevented by bending the butt 
backwards and forwards so as to make a crease across it below the butt- 
Junction. This is done first, and as the two half-blades are pulled apart 
the splitting process stops naturally at the crease, leaving the connecting 
piece of butt beyond intact. The butt connection is further strengthened 
by completely bending back the half-blades at the crease, so that the blades 
are inside out. as it were, and the butt portion is tucked away between 
the half-blades. This not only strengthens the butt connections but, by 
k 
LI 
beginning from coming apart, and make for neatness and celerity of work. 
to commence a kono with six separate wefts and you will appreciate — CR 
ry 
the difference. Maori 
place with very stiff flax, quickly tie the butt together again with a thin 
strip of flax ere attempting to go further. 
1 shows four sinistral wefts 
