26 Transactions. — Miscellaneous. 



In some other old legends which I have heard, Euatapu is said to have 

 foretold to Paikea, at their parting, of a great approaching flood, which 

 would cover all the low-lying lands of the North Island of New Zealand ; 

 and that when its signs should appear, the people were to flee to the 

 mountain, Hikurangi, near the East Cape. But this, in my opinion, is 

 merely a straining and embellishing (after the usual manner) of what 

 Euatapu had said about his own returning (in spirit) to land from the sea 

 in the summer seasons ; — immensely strengthened, also, from his high rank, 

 and from the fact of those sayings having been his last parting words, which 

 always had great weight with the Maori people. 



III. The Story of Houmea. 

 In bringing this paper before you to-night, perhaps I should state, in a few 

 words, my reasons for selecting this story of Houmea out of many such. 



1. Because that the name and doings of Houmea are often mentioned, 

 or alluded to, in old Maori poetry, and that, too, in connection with the 

 name of Paikea. Her name is also still used as a warning by the Maoris, 

 in their current " household words " and proverbial sayings. 



2. Because that, according to their genealogies, Houmea was a very 

 ancient ancestress of Paikea. (See the Grenealogy.) 



3. Because of its high antiquity ; for while (as I have already said) the 

 time of Uenuku and Paikea goes back to about a.d. 1000, or 25-27 genera- 

 tions, the time of Houmea (as derived from their genealogical rolls) goes 

 back to nearly 50 generations ! ! 



4. Because of the very great scarceness of this ancient tale ; it is, I 

 think, unique ; as with all my endeavours I could only obtain this one 

 relation or copy. 



5. Because it contains a few more of their Charms, Wonders, and 

 Miracles. 



The Stoey of Houmea, a Female Thief : a very ancient Tale. 



Part I. 

 Here is the narration concerning a certain female thief ; the name of that 

 woman was Houmea, and she was a very extraordinary person, a pest. 

 The name of her husband was Uta. 



One day her husband went out to sea in his canoe* to catch fish for 

 himself and his wife and their two children ; the name of one was Tuta- 



* Here, throughout (as has been before observed, " Trans. N.Z. Inst.," Vol. XIII., p. ), 

 only the persons themselves immediately concerned are mentioned ; but it should be 

 understood there were plenty of others,— plebeians, etc. A cliief, for instance, could not 

 go out alone to the deep sea-fishing in a large canoe. 



