CoLENSo. — Traditions of the Maoris. 39 



who once dwelt together must have done so in very large numbers, the re- 

 mains of their extensive earth- works (mostly on hill-tops and ridges), 

 accomplished, too, without tools or the use of iron, plainly attest. 



In these narrations we shall find not a few highly characteristic traits 

 of the New Zealander, some of which I have already mentioned, or alluded 

 to, in former papers,* as Shame — at detection of a fault, not unfrequently 

 ending in suicide : Revenge, — deep, long meditated, obtained at any cost, 

 and patiently waited and toiled for ; on account of an insult, or a curse, 

 never forgotten or forgiven ! Cunning schemes, — laid and often well and 

 fully carried out : Vengeance, — for bloodshed, which (as with the ancient 

 Hebrews) was generally undertaken by the next of kin, and terrible in its 

 effects ! f Strong belief, — in the efficacy of spells and charms, and in the 

 mere recital of words exceedingly simple in themselves, and rarely ever 

 possessing the merest germ of a prayer to, or invocation of, any higher 

 power ; and, also, the highly peculiar custom of personification, — or the per- 

 sonifying of things, animate and inanimate,— together with their giving 

 proper names to every single thing they possessed or manufactured ; which 

 names were, sometimes, well chosen and expressive, and sometimes highly 

 ridiculous ; yet, at the same time, were not seldom the cause or source of 

 future trouble to them. 



I would also further observe, that it is only in relations of this kind, as 

 given by intelligent old Maoris, that we may expect to find accounts of, or 

 allusions to, many things, — as works, doings, habits,' manners, customs, 

 beliefs, etc, — which have become quite obsolete and lost. Even the very 

 meanings of the names of some are now scarcely known, save to the older 

 men. Indeed, herein is a mine of ethnological wealth, if it could but be 

 ea'peditiously worked, for in a very few years more there will be no remain- 

 ders left ! Even now, what is related by the best of the Maoris relating to 

 the olden time wiU requh'e to be very cautiously received and examined, and 

 that, too, by competent hands. 



Another thing which I may be allowed slightly to touch on here in 

 passing, is, that these historical narrations will serve faithfully, though 

 silently, to show to the settlers of to-day a portion of what the early 



* FMe— "Trans. N.Z. Inst.," Vol. I., "Essay on the Maori Eaces," § 28 and 35 ; 

 also Papers on tlie Maoris, Vols. XI., XII., ditto. 



t Like tlie " Goel haddam" of the Hebrews, the next of kin was bound to avenge the 

 murder of a kinsman ; and too often here, like in those old and bloody times of the Jews 

 (e.g., Gen. XXXIV., 25, etc.; Joshua X., XI. ; 2nd Samuel Vin., 2, and XQ., 31), the 

 Maoris carried their vengeance to a terrible length ! Let those, however, who would 

 freely censure the old Maori, fairly and honestly bear in mind what they may read pretty 

 much of in the Old Testament. 



