i46 ICransactions. — Miscellaneous t 



217. Rehua 'pona nui ! 



Eehua (causing) big joints ! 

 Eehua is one of the larger planets (possibly Mars or Jupiter), and when 

 seen in summer, in time of heats and droughts, this saying is used ; as then 

 men grow thin (substantial vegetable food being scarce), and their joints 

 protrude and look large. Eehua is a famed star (planet) with the old New 

 Zealanders, — many things are said of it ; some of which, however, belong 

 to a noted chief of that name of the olden time. {Vide proverb 161, ante). 



218. Takurua hupe nui ! 



Takurua (causing) watery nose ! 

 This saying is in opposition to the last one, conveyed in the same semi- 

 metrical manner, and is highly expressive of the cold raw weather in 

 winter. Takurua being also one of their names for the winter season 

 (indeed with the Southern Maoris the only one), at which time the old 

 Maoris, slightly clothed, must have suffered much annoyance in the way 

 alluded to. TakuriM'^' is the name of a star which rises in the winter. 



219. Ka mate he tete, ka tupu he tete. 



One duck dies, another duck is hatched. [Spatula variegata.) 



Meaning : Man dies, and another comes in his place. 



Eeminding of Homer {Iliad VI.) : — " As is the race of leaves, such is that 

 of men ; one springs up and the other dies." And of our Enghsh saying : — 

 " As good fish in the sea as ever came out of it. 



220. He kuruhuru te nianu ha rere : he ao te rangi ka uhia. 



When the bird has feathers it flies away ; when the sky has clouds 

 it is obscured. 

 Lit. The fledged bird flies ; the clouded sky (is) covered. 

 Meaning : Great changes soon arise. Circumstances alter cases. 



XIII. A FEW VEKY BRIEF AND PITHY SaYINGS (aS A SAMPLE). 



221. Piae totara = Forehead as hard as the totara wood. 



Spoken of a liar ; and of an unabashed, shameless person. Equivalent 

 to our Enghsh Brazen-face. 



222. Toil tirairaka = Flycatcher's tail {Rhipidura fiabellifera). 



Said of a restless person who does not sit quietly in his place at their 

 more important meetings. 



223. Arero rua = Double tongue. 



224. Ngakau rua = Double mind. 



Both spoken of a false promiser ; of a person who says one thing, 

 yet means another. 



225. He ringa ivhiti ! 



A quiek ready hand, at reaching out, across, or over. 



* Note on preceding page. 



