NEW ZEALAND

Ashburton Guardian, Volume 2, Issue 230, 31 December 1880, Page 2

NEW ZEALAND

(Per Press Association.) “ The Potato is Cooked.” Auckland, To-day.

A high authority on the Maori language, and author of a Maori Grammar, gives the following translation of Te Whiti’s reply to the Governor. “It is difficult to interpret Maori proverbial sentences at all times, particularly when they come at second hand. “ Tawa ” may be the word used by Te Whili, but I am not sure that a Maori would apply “ Maori ”to it. I am inclined to think the word should be “ Taeawa,” or “ Taewa,” which in Waikato and among the natives of Taranaki means “potato.” The principle is the same in both readings—viz. that “ The time for action is come.” The precise meaning of this is not clear, but the same reliable authority explains the sentence as meaning ‘ ‘ The potato is cooked”— i. e., the “ potato food is prepared for eating,” and there is nothing now to be done but for the Governor and Te Whiti to partake of it. ' • The Weather. Heavy showers of rain, accompanied by a severe hailstorm, fell this morning. Lost at Sea. Invercargill, To-day. The whaling barque Sapphire has arrived from Stewart’s Island. When off the Solanders one of the crew lost hold while aloft and fell into the sea, striking his head on a rail in his descent. He rose once, but sank before assistance could be offered.