A Few More Maori Names.

Manawatu Herald, 11 December 1902, Page 2

A Few More Maori Names.

Up the Manawatu riven, if stand*, ing upon the Wirokino bridge, will be noticed a fine strait stretch of water, nearly three miles in length, which the Maoris descriptively named “ Otouroa ” or the Long Roach. Near Carnarvon the railwajrstation has been re-christened “ Himafongi," and the new steamer belonging to the owners of the Queen of the South, has also been given that name. Current talk will always declare that the steamer’c name means “ Crying Jimmy,” whilst as a fact Jimmies are not given to crying. Hima was a girl and the name arose from her grief at having forgotten where to look for what she had hidden. The tale now told is that long years ago when a gentle warrior of the northern tribes marched down this coast carrying fire and slaughter with him, the natives hearing of him made tracks away as fast as they could, hiding all things of value. The natives then living near Himatangi obeyed the general order of scuttle, and the chief of the party directed his daughter Hima to hide a valuable greenstone mere—which she did. When the Colorado beetle of those days had passed and gone the Natives returned and the first duty of Hima was to disinter the family valuables. The dear girl lost her head and could not locate the spot and, woman like, began to cry and kept on doing so, probably after an interview with the old man. The numerous <s cousins and aunts ” were bound to notice her lamentable state and said “ fliraataugi,” Hima crying, and as such could not he disputed the assertion gives the name to the station and surrounding land. Proceeding up the Manawatu river, beyond Palmerston you find a small island known as Raukawa, or the land of bitter leaves.

Again, the junction of the Pohangina river with the Manawatu you will notice on the shores a flat beach. River travellers were always on the look out for good camping places which would be convenient for cooking the meal which their exercise would give zest to. Just such a spot was discovered at this junction and was known as the “ Po,” the native name for night, and “ Haugina," the stones in favour for making Maori coppers. A grand illustration of the spot, which would be at once picked out. The Maoris used to describe the Gorge as Te Hapiti, meaning two things coming together. About the middle of the Gorge there is a red rook standing up in the water known as “ Po tai,” from “ po ” post, “ tai” boundary, this point being accepted as a division of territories between certain tribes.

Nowadays Jaokeytowa is the pakeha misnomer for “ Eketahuaa,” and those who hare stood on the banks of the river will acknowledge that its name is very descriptive, as round about it means a resting place, being derived from “ Eke ” to run aground, and " Tahuna ” a mud flat. So in all Native names will be found an accurate description of its position or use.