344 Transactions. 
Maori Plaited Basketry and Plaitwork: 2, Belts and Bands, Fire- 
fans and Fly-flaps, Sandals and Sails. 
By Те Raner Hrroa (P. Н. Воск), р.8.0., M.D. 
[Read before the Auckland Institute, 14th December, 1922; received by Editor, 31st 
December, 1922 ; issued separately, 8th July, 1924.] 
Plates 33-40 
INTRODUCTION. 
Part 1 of this article (4) was confined to the technique of plaiting mats, 
baskets, and burden-carriers as it exists among the Whanganui tribes. 
In this second part use has also been made of any available information 
from other tribes. 
4. BELTS AND BANDS. 
Plaited bands are divided into two kinds—those used on the person, and 
those used in connection with the cooking of food. The bands used on the 
person as articles of dress or ornamentation are again divided into (a) fillets 
for the head, and (b) belts for the waist. 
(а.) FILLETS. 
Narrow plaited bands of white wefts are used as ornamental fillets for 
wefts, and when completed form a na band with serrated edges 
The ends of the band are joined together to form a circlet which fits 
over the head above the The technique is admirably shown 10 
nected by a portion of undivided butt are interlaced to form a check. 
as shown in fig. 1. In the figures the parts with parallel lines denote 
weft diagonally over the outer margin of the weft above it. In this 
bending or folding over, the other surface of the folding weft is — 
If each stage is followed as described under the figures, the technique 
the Ngati-Porou Tribe of the East Coast call the plait itself mekameka.. 
As Europeans in New Zealand were not in the habit of plaiting straw, it 
is difficult to see in what way they could have imparted such knowledge 
to the Maori. The Maori may have dissected an old straw hat and thus 
obtained the technique of the plait, but it seems to be definitely pre- 
European. (See Plate 33.) 3h 
Fillets of coloured flax-fibre woven after the manner of the taniko, or 
ornamented borders of cloaks, are very popular, but do not belong to 
this article. 
