168 
The N.Z. Journal of Science and Technology. 
[Sept. 
A TOKI TITAHA, OR STONE AXE, FROM TARANAKI. 
By Elsdon Best, Dominion Museum. 
The term “ axe ” is loosely applied to the stone tools formerly employed 
by the Maori for timber-working purposes, the vast majority of which 
were undoubtedly hafted and used as adzes. The true axe, hafted with 
the cutting-edge in line with the handle, was, however, used to a limited 
extent, and the illustrations show such an implement obtained from 
natives of Parihaka many years ago. The stone blade is 7 in. in length 
Told titaha, or stone axe. 
and 2§ in. in width across the cutting-edge. It is inserted in a cleft or 
mortise in the “ shoe ” of the handle, from which it projects 4 in., and is 
secured by a neat lashing of aha (stems of climbing-plants). The blade 
is of axe form, its cutting-edge being in the axial centre of the implement, 
or very nearly so. This is by no means an example of pre-European 
hafting, but the axe was mounted in the manner formerly employed by 
natives of that district. Further information on this subject may be found 
in Dominion Museum Bulletin No. 4, pp. 140, 141, 149-152. 
This implement is the property of Mr. Minton, of Otaki, to whom the 
Dominion Museum is indebted for the. loan of it. 
