Wellington PldJosophical Society. 445 



been inflicted on a large portion of the human race, including not only the 

 population of the British Isles, but the swarming multitudes which have 

 thence spread over the world, to conquer nations and to found colonies. 



Mr. Crawford then gave a list of words in various languages in proof of 

 what he had said ; and concluded by remarking that it was therefore very 

 commendable in those who first reduced the Maori toug'ue to a written 

 language, that a system had been adopted by them of definite vowel sounds, 

 which thus gave to the language a much more civilized aspect than it would 

 have presented under the usual painful attempts which are vainly made to 

 reduce aboriginal sounds to the rule, or no rule, of English orthography. 



3. Tareha, Native Member in the House of Representatives for the 

 Eastern District, then gave a description of the Maori house in which the 

 meeting was assembled. His Honor the Superintendent of Hawke Bay 

 acted as interpreter. Tareha spoke as follows : — 



" In accordance with the request made to me, I shall now give the 

 meeting an account of this house, its history and origin. 



" Such a building as this is only erected by men holding a high position 

 among the tribes ; it is a sign of chieftainship, and the proprietor becomes a 

 noted man. The whole tribe assist in building it when called together by 

 the chief for that purpose. 



" This house was built at Tauranga, in Poverty Bay, by B-ahurahi (or 

 Lazarus) in 1845, during Governor Fitzroy's administration. "When finished, 

 all the tribes that had an interest in it Were called together to discuss their 

 affairs. It was about the time when you Europeans introduced Christianity 

 amongst us, consequently many important subjects were talked over. The 

 name of the house is ' Tehaukituranga.' All these carved posts represent 

 certain individuals, ancestors of mine ; the lower and larger figures represent 

 the fathers, the upper ones their sons. Most of them have their names 

 attached, as you may observe, but the oldest names have become obliterated. 



" This is considered an important and valuable property among the 

 Maori; but misfortunes visited the land, troubles were cast upon us, the 

 tribes were scattered, and the result is that the house now stands here. 

 "When the King movement commenced, dissension and jealousy arose 

 amongst the natives ; it was found to be wrong, and you all know how the 

 evil has been atoned for. Then other natives created a new god, and called 

 him ' Hauhau ; ' this movement commenced on the east side of the country 

 and crossed over to the west, and led to the death of Mr. Volkner. In 

 consequence of all this, and through other troubles and dissensions, the 

 house has become your property." 



Kiekie, one of the ex-prisoners from the Chatham Islands, and a relative 

 of Tareha, on being requested by the meeting, gave some further particulars. 



