24 Transactions. — Miscellaneous. 



After some time residing there, he took to wife a woman of that place 

 named Parawhenuamea, who bore him several children ; one was named 

 Marumuri, and there were others also named Maru (with some other affix). 

 Afterwards he came further south to Whakatane, where he took another wife, 

 who was named Te Manawatina ; whence came the name of Whakatane 

 from Manawatina. Thence he travelled still further south to Ohiwa, where 

 he saw Muriwai within a cave ; from which circumstance arose the name of 

 Te Whakatohea, who dwelt at Opotiki. In course of time, and still travel- 

 ling south, he came to Waiapu, where he took another woman named Hutu 

 to wife ; and she came on with him to his own place. She bore him 

 Pouheni, etc., etc. (See Genealogy appended.) 



This highly curious and ancient Maori rhapsody, the Spell of Paikea, is 

 among the longest of the kind known to me, and was possibly thrown into 

 its present semi-poetical form (in the original) the better to remember it. 

 Although I have already given copious explanatory notes, a few of its more 

 prominent features may further be briefly noticed. 



Throughout it possesses just such words and imagery, as a man (par- 

 ticularly a Maori) in such a situation might be supposed to use and 

 entertain. It seems, to me, very natural that one should speak (talk aloud) 

 to himself in that manner, if only to keep his courage up ! Many of the 

 similes used are very natural and proper. 



A kind of regular and progressive sequence almost dramatic runs 

 through it. 



There is great freedom from fear, both natural and superstitious ; great 

 dependence on himself ; and little looking to any higher power for aid (save 

 in one instance) other than to his own ancestors, whose names he repeats 

 and also calls on, but mainly (as it seems) to encourage himself by reflecting 

 on their meanings ; this latter is an old peculiar trait in the Maori char- 

 acter, of which I have known many curious instances. 



The invocation to Taane (v. 43), is evidently favoiu:ably answered by 

 Taane (vv. 44, 46): there is also a second call on Taane (v. 51). It also 

 appears, in other verses, as if some one supernatural power or personage 

 were speaking to him, or for him (vv. 16, 27-29, 31).* 



It is not said how long Paikea was struggling at sea ; but, no doubt, 

 the canoe had put off, according to their custom, in the calm of early 

 morning, (indeed, such is nearly said in the story,) and Paikea, after long 

 battling with the waves, feelingly alludes to the dawn of another day 

 breaking ; and to the early morning bird (of hope to him) appearing (vv. 

 34, 35). 



See, also, "Trans. N.Z. Inst.," Vol. XIII., p. 59, bottom. 



