130 Transactions, — Miscellaneous. 



I have often heard these last two proverbs used. They fall with 

 bitter effect on the guilty person, often causing deep shame, as the 

 New Zealanders abominated slander. The reference in both is to the 

 kakaho reeds or flower-stalks, (cutting-grass == Arundo conspicua), formerly 

 used for the inner walls and ceilings of a chief's house ; these were some- 

 times partly coloured black in a kind of pattern of scroll-work, and when 

 regularly laid side by side had a pleasing effect ; any irregularity, however, 

 in pattern or in laying, was speedily detected by the practised eye of the 

 Maori ; hence the proverb. 



105. He nui jyohue tore ra raro. 



The convolvulus (roots are) many and spread below (the soil): — supply, 

 just as the secret thoughts of men's hearts are hidden within. 



106. He tiitii rere ao ha kitea, he tiitii rere po ehore e kitea. 



The petrel which flies by day is seen ; the petrel which flies by night 

 is not seen. 

 One species of petrel always flies back to its mountain home from the 

 ocean very late in the evening ; I have very often heard its cry, but never 

 saw it on the wing. 



This proverb is said of men's thoughts ; also of night-attacks from the 

 enemy. 



107. Ko to kai waewae te txiku mai hi cm, kia huaina atu, e arotau ana mai. 



Thou allowest thy feet (or thy footsteps) to come hitherwards to me, 

 that it may be said abroad, thou lovest to come hither. 

 Often said by a woman who doubts the affection of her lover ; also by 

 the people of a village who doubt the professions of a visitor. 



108. Katahi ka auraki mai ki te ivhanau a te mangumangu kikino, i te aitanga 

 a Punga i a an e ! 



How strange ! to struggle to hasten hither of thy own accord to the 

 offspring of the black and ugly, to me the begotten of Punga ! 

 Punga is said to be the father or progenitor of all the ugly and deformed 

 fish, as sharks and rays, and also of lizards. 



This proverb is applied by a man to a woman who had deserted him as 

 her lover, but who returns to him again. 



IX. Eespecting Caution, etc. 



109. Ehia motunga o te iveka i te mahanga / 



How often does the wood-hen break away from the snare ? 

 Meaning : Take care, you will be caught at last. 



110. Ka hoki ranei te iveka i motu ki te mahanga ? 



Will the escaped wood-hen indeed return to the snare ? 

 Meaning : " Once bit, twice shy." 



