MAORI ABORIGINAL MANUFACTURES. 501 
the north, and are set in the end of a split stick, being lashed in very 
neatly. The stick is about fifteen or eighteen inches long, and is to 
become the spindle of a large teetotum drill. For the circular plate of 
this instrument the hardened intervertebral cartilage of a whale is taken ; 
a hole is made through, and the stick firmly and accurately fixed in it. 
Two strings are then attached to the upper end of the stick, and by 
pulling them a rapid rotatory motion is given to the drill. When an 
indentation is once made in the poenamu the work is easy ; as each 
flint becomes blunted it is replaced by another in the stick, until the 
work is done. Two ?neres were in process of formation while we stayed 
at Taramakau, and one had just been finished. A native will get up at 
night to have a polish at a favourite mere, or take one down to the beach 
and work away by the surf. A piece of poenamu and some slate will 
be carried when travelling, and at every halt a rub will be taken at it." 
The above interesting description of what must at one time have 
been an important branch of Maori industry, shows how laborious was 
the process of greenstone manufacture, and supplies at least one reason 
for the high estimation in which articles made of the poenamu were 
held by the natives generally. 
Weapons. — For personal conflicts the New Zealanders had several 
deadly weapons, and, like all races ignorant of iron, they used hard 
mineral for making keen-edged ones. Of these, the greenstone Me'e 
was the most esteemed, it weighs about six pounds, is about a foot 
long, and in shape resembles a powder-flask flattened, Its edges aie 
sharp as a knife, and in the handle is a hole for a loop of flax or 
leather, which is twisted round the wrist. Sometimes meres are made 
of wood or whale-bone, and in such instances are fashioned into various 
shapes and ornamented on their handles with carvings. The meres are 
deadly weapons at close quarters, and a single blow with one on the 
head will cause instant death. 
There were several fine greenstone meres in the New Zealand Exhibi- 
tion, in Sir George Grey's collection, and some noted ones were exhibited 
by various native chiefs. To all of these some legend is attached. The mere 
exhibited by Hohepa Tamaihengia, is called " Taturamoa," and has figured 
in many a deadly fight. Another fine mere was exhibited by the chief 
Waitaoro. It has been used in several engagements, and has a flaw in 
it done in breaking a Maori's skull. Oriwia te Hurumutu, daughter of the 
great chief Pehi, exhibited two meres, one of whalebone and the other oi 
greenstone. Both have legends attached to their history ; the former 
belonged originally to the father of the Kebel Chief, William Thompson. 
The " Patu " is a wooden weapon, not unlike a violin in shape, and 
a little larger than the mere. One was exhibited by Sir George Grey. 
The Maoris had five sorts of wooden clubs, which were occasionally 
highly carved, and ornamented with feathers and dyed flax. 
The " Toki," or adze, was a favourite weapon. Its handle was made 
