CoLENSo. — On a better Knowledge of the_ Maori Race. 135 



137. He manga-a-icai koia, kia kore e ichitikia .^ 



Is it indeed a big river, that cannot be crossed. 

 A saying often used, meaning : It is as nothing, why make such a fuss 

 about it. 



XI. Against beginning Wak, etc. 



138. He kai kora nui te riri ! 



War (is like) a devouring fire kindled by a spark. (James, m. 5.) 



139. Ka tahuna te ururua ki te ahi, ekore e tumau tonu ki te walii i tahima atu 

 ai ; kaore, ka kaa katoa te parae. 



When the tangled fern and shrubs are fired, (the fire) will not always 

 be fixed in the place of firing, but will burn up the whole open 

 country. 

 Meaning : The sm'e extension of warfare. 



140. Kei uta te i^akanga, kei tai te ivhiunga. 



Though the fighting is begun inland, the spreading and finishing 

 will be at the sea, or sea- side. 

 Lit. Inland the fighting, at sea-side the flinging, 

 Meaning : In war the innocent suffer for the guilty. 



141. E tae koutou ki uta, kei mau ki tai ki Tu, 2nihia he angina ! e mau ki tai ki 

 Noho, ma te huhu e popo, e hanehane. 



When you reach land, do not hold with the fighting- side, or you will 

 be blown away as thin air ; but hold with the side of Peace, 

 that you may live long and die natm-ally. 

 Lit. When you land, do not hold to the standing- side (or the side of Tu 

 =^ god of war), blown away, thin au* ; but hold to the sitting (or quietly- 

 dwelling) side, for the worms gradual decay and skin disease. 



This is a difficult sentence to render into English ; but it is well worth 

 preserving on account of its alleged antiquity. It is said, in their legends, 

 to be the parting advice of an old chief, at " Hawaiki," named Houmai- 

 tawhiti, to his sons, on then- leaving " Hawaiki " for New Zealand. Of 

 course, the meaning is, "Hold fast to peace." 



N.B. — Note the opposition in the words Tu and Noho ; Tu, standing, 

 and restlessness = War ; Noho, sitting, and settledness = Peace. 



142. E horo ranei i a koe te tail o Hongomaitakupe ? 



Canst thou level the rocky ridge (or shoal) of Eongomaitakupe ? 



Meaning : Canst thou cause peace when war begins ? 



Eongomaitakupe is an extensive shoal or ridge of rocks, on which a 

 terrible surf is always breaking. Here one is reminded of similar questions 

 in the ancient Eastern book of Job, respecting the taming of Behemoth 

 and Leviathan. 



