1918.] The N.Z. Journal of Science and Technology. 31 
Examples : Kotahi Tcumi ma rua — One kumi and two. Here the word 
maro■ (fathoms) is understood in connection with the word “ two/ 5 hence 
“ twelve fathoms 55 is implied. In some cases a further abbreviation occurs, 
as in Kumi ma torn = Kumi and three (for “ thirteen fathoms ”). Herein 
the words “ one 55 and “ fathoms ” are understood. Rua kumi ma warn = 
Two kumi and eight (denoting twenty-eight fathoms, or two kumi and 
eight fathoms). 
Again, the odd fathoms may be omitted, but implied by the use of 
the word hamanga (cf. hamama under “ Pae ”). Example: Kotahi kumi, 
hamanga te rua — One kumi, the second open (or lacking)'—showing that 
the second kumi is incomplete. This simply shows the distance to be 
something between 10 and 20 fathoms'—an indefinite statement. 
The kumi was the longest standard employed by the Maori. In 
defining long distances he fell back on comparison—“ As far as from here 
to-—— 55 (mentioning some place). 
The Rauru, or Measuring-rod.-—In describing house-building operations 
a Maori would mention the name of the person whose arm-span (wha¬ 
ng ang a) was employed in the measurements of the house, as Te aronui 
no mea tangata 55 = The aronui was So-and-so’s. The arm-span of this 
person would be marked on a cord or rod for measuring purposes. Some 
men-—persons of importance, such as a leading chief-—kept a permanent 
measuring-rod, with their arm-span and other measurements, the hau, 
whatianga, &c., marked on it. This he would use on all occasions when 
such a thing was required. Others would also borrow it, as when building 
a house. Such a measuring-rod was called a rauru on the East Coast; 
and a person who borrowed it would remark, “ My house was measured 
with the rauru of So-and-so.” The rod of a man of high rank would be a 
prized item and much sought after, as on loan. The rauru o Kahu-ngunu 
(i o = of) was a famous one, handed down for many generations on the 
East Coast, and is said to have belonged to the ancestor of that name who 
flourished about twenty generations ago. Such rods were usually made 
of ake rautangi, a hard and durable timber. In some cases the marks on 
the rod were bordered with a carved design termed koropito, relieved with 
small pieces of bright-coloured Haliotis shell countersunk in the wood, a 
process known as korotiwha and tiwha. Any person wishing to borrow 
such a rod would probably make a present to the owner thereof prior to 
obtaining the loan of it. “ Na te rauru o mea i tatai te whare nei ” = By 
the rauru of So-and-so was the house measured. No such rods are now 
in existence. It is certain, however, that the use of such a rod was not 
only not universal, but also was perhaps confined to the East Coast or 
a portion of that district. Mr. White has a note to the effect that a man 
sometimes used his walking-staff as measuring-rod when laying off a new 
house. 
A cord measure would be used in house-building, for measuring diagonals 
in squaring the frame, &c. This cord was called a taura tieke. 
Additional terms implying deficiency in measurements : The word 
koha denotes a deficiency in measuring, an incomplete unit, as Te roa o te 
mea nei, kotahi te hau me te koha — The length of the item is one hau and 
a surplus (that is, between one and two hau, the second being incomplete). 
Williams’s Maori Dictionary gives E wha te roa o te rakau, kaore he koha — 
The length of the timber is four (fathoms understood) and no koha. One 
also meets with this form : Te koha o te whare he pana tahi nga heke = 
The discrepant feature of the house is the odd rafter. And this : Ka pana 
tahi te whare, ara nga pou —as said of a house having one more side-post 
