CoLENSO. — On a better Knowledge of the Maori Race. 127 



Meaning: He is not to be depended on in times of extremity, etc., like 



a son, 



I take it, however, that this " nephew" is the son of a brother, not the 



son of a sister. 



83. He jmi ranc/itaJii ! 



A one day's beauty ; a short- hved pleasure. 

 Sometimes used of a girl's countenance. 



Meaning, also : After a fine day, a storm follows ; after a great feast, 

 a famine, etc. 



84. He jMii tangata ekore e reia. ; he kino ivahine ka reia. 



A handsome man is not always eagerly sought after ; an ugly woman 

 is eagerly sought for — or, has plenty of lovers. 

 Here it should be remembered, that with the New Zealanders the women 

 always began the courting. 



85. He jjai kanoki, he maene kiri, he ra te kai ma tona poho ; loaihoki, he j^ai 



kupu kail. 



Pretty face, smooth skin, loves to bask idly in the sun ; therefore the 

 beauty consists in words only. ("Prettiness dies quickly"). 

 This is plain enough ; but, in the next, we have just the opposite. 



86. He pai kai ekore e roa te tirohanga ; he pai kanohi e roa te tirohanga ! 



Good and pleasant food is not long looked at ; a good-looking face is 

 long observed. 

 Meaning : Looked on with satisfaction and delight. 



VI. — Against a Boaster, etc. 



87. He nui to ngaromanga, he iti te jmtanga. 



Long thy absence, little seen (with thee) on return. 



88. E ivha ringaringa, e wha o ivaewae ! 



Thou hast four hands and foiu' legs ! 

 A word said quietly to a boasting fellow. 



89. He kaakaa ivaha nui ! 



A noisy-mouthed parrot ! 

 Apphed to a chatterer, or boasting person. 



90. Me ho mai nga hau o Rirapa ki iita. 



Let the exploits of Eirapa be brought to land. 



91. Kei uta nga hau o Rirapa te tii ai. 



'Tis on shore that the fine doings of Eirapa are seen. 

 Both used of a lazy, hulking fellow, who is lazy in a fishing-canoe at 

 sea, etc. 



92. Whaka-Ruajnitahanga i a koe ! 



Thou art making thyself appear as big as the great lady chief of old 

 Euaputahanga ! 

 Said to a boaster. 



